The historical “Flag Bear Revolt” was an insurgence by American settlers against the Mexican regime. The people involved in the revolt were a small group of American settlers and the Mexican government. Notable settlers at the revolt’s forefront included “William B. Ide and Ezekiel Merritt” (National Park Service, 2022). A primary source providing further details on other people involved in the war is William Todd’s letter written thirty years after the insurgence. In his letter, William writes, “when the Americans, who had taken up arms against the Spanish regime, had determined what kind of flag should be adopted, the following persons performed the work: Granville P. Swift, Peter Storm, Henry L. Ford and myself” (editor, 2019). The primary source further details the revolt in that it highlights how Americans rose against the Mexican government. The insurgence occurred from “June to July 1846, specifically in Sonoma, California” (History.com Editors, 2020). On the aforementioned date, approximately thirty settlers took it upon their hands to launch an attack in Sonoma against the Mexican regime declaring California independent of Mexico. Technologically, the settlers used weapons like knives, pistols, rifles, and horses, including other homemade weapons like pitchforks.

The action’s development can be traced back to American settlers’ immigration to California in the 1840s. Despite migrating into Spanish territory, these settlers refused to assimilate. On the other hand, there was growing tension between U.S. and Mexico as the two nations had a conflict over Texas. The Mexicans feared that they would lose California just like Texas. Also, rumors of America’s going to war with Mexico further escalated the tension as settlers worried they would be attacked by the Mexicans. On the other hand, “John C. Fremont, an American army captain, also traveled to Alta, California and encouraged the settlers to prepare for the rebellion” (History.com Editors, 2020). Consequently, the settlers used the U.S. declaration of war as an opportunity to seize California, hence launching the revolt in June.  Evidently “emboldened by Fremont’s encouragement, on June 14, 1846, a party of more than 30 Americans under the leadership of William Ide (1796-1852) and Ezekiel Merritt invaded the largely defenseless Mexican outpost of Sonoma” (History.com Editors, 2020). The settlers managed to seize California, and the newly formed republic lasted for three weeks when the U.S. annexed it. In terms of military strategy, the settlers took advantage of the tensions in California to strike first.

Regarding military professionalism, the settlers managed to mobilize quickly and utilized surprise attack tactics. Consequently, the settlers seized the territory within a short time, countering the Mexican response. The surprise military tactic was used in taking over the territory and arresting leaders like Mariano Vallejo (History.com Editors, 2020). Things progressed as they did because Americans and Mexicans did not trust each other. Socially, Americans did not want to assimilate; hence the Mexicans viewed them as a threat. Also, political and economic reasons contributed to the event. The settlers were against the Mexican regime, while the U.S. was after territorial expansion. Economically, the settlers were after California’s fertile soil, land, good climate, and natural resources. The revolt’s significance was that it laid the foundation for the historical “Mexican-American War.” Consequently, the U.S. managed to annex California, further promoting expansion and acquisitions of new territories. Evidently, “soon after the Bear Flag was raised, the U.S. military began occupying California, which went on to join the union in 1850” (History.com Editors, 2020). The revolt also was significant in terms of providing a justification for Americans to seize California. While considering military theory and doctrine, the rebellion highlights the essence of seizing and controlling a territory during the war. Notably, the American settlers first captured the territory from the Mexicans and were able to control it for three weeks.  On the other hand, the revolt demonstrates logistics and administration as the newly formed republic had to be organized and managed by the settlers.

What I learned from the above event is that the revolt was between American settlers and the Mexican government. I also learned that the event led to a full-scale outbreak of war between the U.S. and Mexico, leading to California’s annexation by the U.S. Concerning the era, I learned that the era contributed immensely to advancements in military technology. For instance, using horses and advanced military weapons laid the foundation for modern weapons and tactics. In terms of military history, the landmarking revolt emphasizes historical chapters of military history, like technology, tactics, and strategies, which are vital for a war outcome.