Exploring California's Bear Flag Republic

Background of California's Bear Flag Republic

California's Bear Flag Republic was established in June 1846 when American settlers in northern California captured Sonoma. The settlers raised a flag with a bear and a star, known as the Bear Flag, to symbolize their independence from Mexican rule.

Manifest Destiny and California's Bear Flag Republic

The declaration of the California Republic represented a California version of manifest destiny, the belief that American expansion was divinely ordained. The Bear Flag Republic aimed to assert American control over California and pave the way for its annexation by the United States.

Precursor to Annexation

The Bear Flag Republic, although short-lived, signaled a desire for self-governance among American settlers in California. While it was not recognized by the British and did not control Mexicans or Indians, it played a significant role in the eventual annexation of California by the United States.