How did the Umayyad dynasty begin?

The Umayyad dynasty began after the death of the fourth caliph, Ali, in 661 CE, marking the end of the Rashidun Caliphate. Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, the governor of Syria and a relative of Uthman, the third caliph, established the Umayyad dynasty by becoming the first Umayyad caliph. His rule centralized power in Damascus and expanded the Islamic empire significantly, setting the stage for a new era in Islamic history characterized by territorial expansion and administrative consolidation. The dynasty lasted until 750 CE, when it was overthrown by the Abbasids.