The California Bear Flag Republic existed for two weeks, numbered only about two hundred citizens, and did not have any civilian government.
Explanation:
To determine Bear Flag Republic definition, it is necessary to turn back to this historical epoch when the collapse of the Mexican state occurred in 1846. At that time, it was exhausted by endless upheavals, riots, and rebellions. Nevertheless, against the background of the fact that Yucatan proclaimed itself a separate state and waged a fierce armed struggle with the central government, the emergence of another hotbed of separatism was inevitable. Having provoked the enemy to be the first to use weapons in 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico.
Bear Flag Revolt Activity:
According to a common version, American settlers in California did not know about the beginning of the war when they rebelled. However, if we recall that the revolution in Texas began about the same time, then most likely, there was an event that today would be called a hybrid war. The history of the conflict supports this version. In terms of the bear flag revolt map, shortly before the start of the conflict, the U.S. Army expedition proceeded to Oregon via Upper California. The action was marked by provocations against the Mexican authorities. The war at that time had not yet begun, but the atmosphere was already tense.
Many people wonder what action did the united states take to claim the bear flag republic as part of the united states; the answer to this question is quite simple. On June 8, the future leader of the uprising received an anonymous letter stating that Mexican government troops were burning crops and dropping cattle, and American settlers were being invited to organize and rebuff the enemy. Arriving citizens found that they should not expect any help, not only with the supply but also with the strategy.
In a short time, the rebels captured 170 state horses, as well as the barracks of the Sonoma garrison, which became their headquarters. There, for the first time, the Bear flag was raised. In the course of the action, the capital of Upper California was captured on July 7th. On the same day, it was announced both in English and Spanish that since then, California was part of the United States. The uprising ended two days later when an American officer arrived at the Sonoma rebels with two US flags – one for Sonoma and the other one – for Fort Sutter. After that, an isolated rebellion inevitably became part of a major continental war.
It is worth noting that, along the way, American diplomacy had to urgently decide on the destiny of the vast territory of Oregon so that during the war with Mexico, it would not have to fight against Great Britain as well. The territorial dispute was unleashed by a compromise: the region was divided into two parts, and the border was set and remained the same up to the present day.
Concluding Points:
It is difficult to call the revolt a rebel movement, and many historians do not discuss in detail who led the bear flag revolt, but it is still important that modern California originates precisely from that rebellion. And, at present, there is an appropriate inscription on the flag of this most populous US state. The main Bear flag revolt result is the United States gaining access to the Pacific Ocean.