The Bear Flag Revolt was an early rebellion by American settlers in California that sought to overthrow the Mexican government! It all started in Sonoma, where 30 Americans, led by William Ide and Ezekiel Merritt, captured General Mariano Vallejo in his home and raised a flag with a bear, a red star (like the star of Texas), and the words “California Republic” on it! The Revolt only lasted a month before the official American army took control of the Bear Flag unit and the Mexican-American War was on!