California Republic

The California Republic (also called the Bear Flag Republic), like the Republic of Texas, was created as a byproduct of increasing tensions between the United States and Mexico. The California Republic was proclaimed on June 10, 1846 when a group of thirty-three Americans captured the town of Sonoma and declared independence from Mexico. Shortly thereafter, U.S. Army Captain John C. Frémont arrived and took control of the group. The republic's first and only president was William B. Ide, whose term lasted twenty-five days.

Related Topics:
Republic of Texas - United States - Mexico - June 10 - 1846 - Sonoma - John C. Frémont - William B. Ide

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On July 7, 1846 a U.S. Navy battleship, commanded by John D. Sloat, docked in Monterey, California, routed the detachment of the Mexican Coast Guard garrisoning the port in a minor skirmish (the Battle of Monterey), and alerted Frémont and his men that the Mexican-American War had begun. The "Bear Flaggers" joined the war effort and replaced their flag with the Stars and Stripes. Under the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico formally surrendered its claim over the territory. Though the Republic's Constitution was never repealed, the state of California was admitted to the federal Union two years later.

Related Topics:
July 7 - 1846 - U.S. Navy - Battleship - John D. Sloat - Monterey, California - Battle of Monterey - Mexican-American War - Stars and Stripes - 1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo - Constitution

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A significant legacy of the California Republic is the State of California's adoption of the flag (which has a grizzly bear, and the words "California Republic" near the bottom) as the State Flag of California. This was the flag created by Frémont and his men; this led their actions to be dubbed the "Bear Flag Revolt."

Related Topics:
California - Flag - Grizzly bear

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