What was the Bear Flag Republic?

The Bear Flag Republic refers to the short-lived independent California Republic that was declared by American settlers in June 1846. This declaration of independence arose during a period of unrest and tensions between the American settlers and the Mexican government in California, as the region was still part of Mexico at the time. The settlers, motivated by the desire for autonomy and inspired by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Mexico, raised a flag featuring a grizzly bear alongside a red star, symbolizing their sovereignty.

The significance of the Bear Flag Republic lies in its role as an early expression of American expansionism and the desire for Manifest Destiny, ultimately leading to California's incorporation into the United States after the Mexican-American War. The other options do not accurately describe the Bear Flag Republic; for example, a treaty with Mexico would pertain to agreements made between nations, rather than a declaration by settlers, while a military base in Texas is unrelated to the Bear Flag or California. Similarly, a form of government in New Mexico does not pertain to this specific historical event, which focused solely on California.