Bear Flag Revolt

Bear Flag Revolt Tensions created by the impending Mexican War led US citizens to attack Mexican authorities they believed were preparing to arrest them on 10 June 1846 near John Sutter’s fort in Calif. On 14 June US insurgents occupied Sonoma, where they soon declared Calif. a republic and designed a flag with a grizzly bear facing a red star, from which the rebellion took its name. Army explorer John Frémont took command of the rebels on 25 June and occupied San Francisco on 1 July, but the Bear Flag Republic lost its legitimacy on 7 July when US Commander John Sloat occupied Monterey and declared Calif. to be under US control. Military activities then merged into the Mexican War.