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In 1846, shortly after the Texas Revolution began, the political situation in California was tense. Even though California was owned by Mexico the population of Americans were increasing quickly. When news of a war between Texas and Mexico was recieved in Mexico Americans started to believe that a war would start to prevent a future rebellion.
In the spring of 1846 an amrican officer, John C. Fremont, had gone to Sutter's Fort. This fort would be around present day San Francisco. He had a few groups of soldiers with him. He was ordered to go there for a scientific survey but he secretly told some americans in the area to start a rebellion.
Motivated by Fremont's words more than 30 Americans ,led by William Ide and Ezekiel Merritt, invaded the Mexican outpost Sonoma. The Mexican general Mariano Vallejo had been surronded and when he went outside he invited some of the rebellion to discuss the situation over drinks. After the situation seemed to be over in a peaceful wat Ide came in and arrested the Mexican general.
After having an easy victory at Sonoma the two American leaders declared California as an independent republic. With only a cotton sheet and some red paint, Ide and Merritt created the first California flag that named it as "California Republic" and had a lone red star and a drawing of a bear.
After the rebels had took over the area north of San Francisco and had a few minor battles with Mexico, Fremont stayed in present day San Francisco. Six days later, it was discovered that Commodore John D. Sloat had taken present day Monterey without a fight and officially raised the American flag over California. Surprisingly, however, the Americans had no desire to keep it and had given the republic up temporarily.
In 1850, California officially joined the states and the Bear Flag became the official flag.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Republic
https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/bear-flag-revolt