Which political act did American settlers in California undertake in 1846?

In 1846, American settlers in California, primarily those who were part of the influx spurred by the Bear Flag Revolt, declared independence from Mexico. This movement was led by a group of American settlers who were frustrated with Mexican rule and sought to establish a new republic, which they called the California Republic.

The backdrop to this declaration was the broader context of the U.S.-Mexico tensions and the ongoing westward expansion of American settlers, which intensified following the Mexican-American War. The settlers' revolt was not just a spontaneous act; it was fueled by a sense of entitlement and the belief in Manifest Destiny, which held that Americans were destined to expand across the continent.

The declaration was significant because it was a pivotal moment in California history, leading to a brief period of independence before the region was taken over by U.S. military forces during the war. This act effectively set the stage for California's later admission to the Union as a state.

Other options do not accurately reflect the actions taken by these settlers in that specific year, as statehood would come later, treaties with Native Americans were not organized by settlers at that time, and while gold mining expeditions certainly became prominent after this period, they were not a political act undertaken in