In 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico, beginning the Mexican-American War. California was then part of Mexico, and many American settlers had moved there in the years leading up to the war. The American settlers were often at odds with the Mexican government, and they felt that they were not being treated fairly.
In June 1846, a group of American settlers in Sonoma, California, rebelled against the Mexican government and declared California to be an independent republic. They raised a flag with a bear on it, which became known as the Bear Flag. The Bear Flag Revolt lasted for only 25 days, but it helped to pave the way for California to become a part of the United States.
The Bear Flag Revolt
The Bear Flag Revolt began on June 14, 1846, when a group of American settlers led by William Ide captured the Mexican garrison at Sonoma. Ide and his men then declared California to be an independent republic and raised the Bear Flag.
The Mexican government responded to the revolt by sending troops to Sonoma. The American settlers were outnumbered and outgunned, but they managed to hold off the Mexican troops for several days. On July 9, 1846, the American settlers were reinforced by a group of volunteers from Oregon. With the help of the Oregon volunteers, the American settlers were able to defeat the Mexican troops and secure their independence.
The Aftermath of the Bear Flag Revolt
The Bear Flag Revolt lasted for only 25 days, but it had a significant impact on the history of California. The revolt helped to pave the way for California to become a part of the United States. In 1848, the United States and Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War and gave California to the United States. California was admitted to the Union as a state in 1850.
The Bear Flag Revolt is still celebrated today in California. There are several monuments and museums dedicated to the revolt, and the Bear Flag is still used as a symbol of California's independence.