The Bear Flag Revolt | California History [ep.4]

Summary

This episode covers the escalating tensions between Mexican California and foreign settlers in the early 1840s. It highlights Governor Alvarado's distrust of foreigners, the accidental American capture of California, and the formation of the Bear Flag Republic by rebelling foreigners. With tensions rising, the U.S. Navy, unaware of the Mexican-American War's start, intervened to aid the Bear Flaggers, capturing Monterey and San Francisco. Sporadic fighting continued until the Treaty of Cahuenga in 1847, ceding California to the U.S. The episode concludes by previewing the Gold Rush in the next installment.

Takeaways

• 🌍 There was increasing tension between foreigners and locals in Mexican California, with many foreigners refusing to naturalize, leading to distrust from Governor Alvarado.
• ⛓️ In 1840, Alvarado jailed foreigners suspected of organizing a coup, though these charges were likely false, and some foreigners were saved by a merchant ship.
• 🚢 Commodore Jones mistakenly captured California for a day in 1842, causing fear and distrust among Californians, especially towards foreigners.
• ⚔️ John Sutter, a naturalized citizen, formed an army during the Micheltorena War but switched sides before the fighting began.
• 🇺🇸 High-level talks were held about annexing Alta California to the US or other foreign powers, but there was no consensus among the local leaders.
• 📢 In 1846, rumors spread that Mexico was sending an army to regain control over California and expel foreigners, sparking a rebellion by a group of foreigners.
• 🐻 The rebels in Sonoma raised what would become the state flag of California, known as the Bear Flag, declaring independence from Mexico.
• 🤝 US Army Colonel Fremont eventually joined the Bear Flaggers, and with the US Navy's help, they captured Monterey and Yerba Buena (San Francisco) without much resistance.
• 📜 A treaty was signed in 1847 after the Bear Flag Rebellion, ceding Alta California to the USA, and the military governorship continued until statehood in 1850.
• 💰 The discovery of gold in 1848, right after the end of the Mexican-American War, made California significant to the US, sparking a major Gold Rush.

Q & A

What was the primary issue with foreigners in Mexican California during the early 1840s?

The primary issue was that many foreigners refused to naturalize as Mexican citizens, which led to distrust from Mexican authorities, especially Governor Alvarado, who suspected them of plotting against the government.

What event escalated tensions between foreigners and local authorities in 1840?

Governor Alvarado arrested a group of foreigners on suspicion of organizing a coup, although these charges were likely false. A merchant ship disguised as an American naval vessel helped save some of these foreigners from execution, further raising tensions.

What mistake did Commodore Jones make in 1842 during the Mexican-American War?

Commodore Jones mistakenly believed that the U.S. had declared war on Mexico and briefly captured California before realizing his error. This misunderstanding led to heightened tensions in Alta California.

Who was John Sutter, and what role did he play in California during this time?

John Sutter was a naturalized citizen who had been granted a large amount of land in the Sacramento Valley. He formed an army to fight against Governor Micheltorena but switched sides before the fighting began, reflecting the uncertainties among non-Hispanic Californians.

What was the Bear Flag Revolt, and how did it start?

The Bear Flag Revolt began in 1846 when a group of foreigners in California, fearing intervention from the Mexican government, decided to rebel. They seized a barracks in Sonoma, raised a new flag, and declared California an independent republic.

What was the significance of the bear symbol on the Bear Flag?

The bear symbol represented the abundance of bears in the region, and the flag also included elements like the independent red star of Alvarado’s California and a red stripe to differentiate it from a surrender flag.

How did John C. Fremont and the U.S. Navy become involved in the Bear Flag Revolt?

John C. Fremont, a U.S. Army colonel, joined the Bear Flaggers, and his support, along with the U.S. Navy under Commodore Sloat, helped capture key locations in California, like Monterey, although they were unaware that the Mexican-American War had already started.

How did the U.S. forces eventually take control of California?

After Commodore Sloat's intervention and the formation of the Californian Battalion, U.S. forces captured several locations with minimal fighting. The Californios attempted to retake towns but were eventually defeated after skirmishes near Los Angeles, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga in 1847.

What was the outcome of the Treaty of Cahuenga?

The Treaty of Cahuenga, signed in January 1847, ended the fighting in Alta California and ceded the territory to the United States.

How did the discovery of gold in 1848 impact California?

The discovery of gold in 1848, shortly after the Mexican-American War, rapidly transformed California from a relatively insignificant territory into a major economic hub, leading to the Gold Rush and significant population growth.