BearFlagRevolte

The Bear Flag Revolt, also known as the Bear Flag Republic, was a brief period of insurgency in 1846 in which a group of American settlers in California rebelled against the Mexican government. The revolt was sparked by tensions between the Mexican authorities and the growing number of American settlers in the region, who were drawn by the fertile land and the prospects of trade.

The immediate cause of the revolt was the arrest of several American settlers by Mexican authorities. In response, a group of about 30 Americans, led by William B. Ide, captured the small Mexican garrison at Sonoma on June 14, 1846. They raised a homemade flag featuring a grizzly bear, a star, a red stripe, and the words "California Republic," declaring the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic.

The Bear Flag Republic was short-lived. Just over three weeks later, on July 9, 1846, American naval officer John D. Sloat claimed California for the United States, effectively ending the rebellion. The Bear Flag was lowered and replaced with the American flag. The Bear Flag Revolt is significant in California's history as it marked the beginning of American control over the region, which was later solidified by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, ending the Mexican-American War.

The Bear Flag Revolt is commemorated in California's state flag, which is a modified version of the original Bear Flag. The revolt is also remembered for its role in shaping California's cultural identity and its transition from Mexican to American rule. Despite its brief duration, the Bear Flag Republic remains a notable episode in the history of the American West.