Bear Flag Revolt

The Bear Flag Revolt was a short-lived rebellion in 1846 where American settlers in California, then part of Mexico, declared independence and raised a bear flag as a symbol of their new identity. Led by John C. Frémont and local settlers, the revolt was driven by dissatisfaction with Mexican rule and interest in joining the U.S. A few weeks later, U.S. forces took control, and California became a U.S. territory. The revolt was significant in California's path to statehood and reflected broader tensions over territorial control during that era.