The Bear Flag Revolt and the Republic of California

The proud state of Texas, the Lone Star State, prides itself in its history, especially the 9 year period during which it was the Republic of Texas, a country in its own right. It began after the Texan Rebellion of 1836, and lasted until its annexation by the United States in 1845.

California has its own history of a republic, although a much shorter lived one than that of Texas. However the official flag of the republic, known to history as the Bear Flag, remains the primary inspiration behind the state flag of California to this day.

The Bear Flag Revolt

The bear flag of California comes from a short lived revolt that occurred during the summer of 1846. A number of white settlers in the region decided to revolt against the Mexican authorities who at that time were in control of California. California was a backwater of Mexico, neglected by the government in Mexico City and with truly little control over the area.

In Sonoma, California, thirty-three Americans, armed and ready for action, marched to the door of General Mariano Vallejo on June 14, 1846. Vallejo was the Mexican Commandante of Northern California at the time. Vallejo was worried about Mexico's ability to control California at the time, and had been hoping for American annexation. When these thirty-three armed Americans arrived at his door he informed them that he agreed with their cause and to consider him one of them.

The Americans, confused by this turn of events and expecting a fight, captured Vallejo and imprisoned him in Sutter's Fort. They realized then that they had just taken over the town, but they were unprepared for what to do next. Expecting a fight and getting none, they then decided that now was the time to declare the California Republic.

The Creation of the Bear Flag

In order for the California Republic to have any sort of legitimacy, it must of course have a flag. Thus the American settlers, now revolutionaries, set about creating a flag. The flag was created by one William Todd, the nephew of Mary Todd Lincoln, who would one day be first lady of the United States.