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Total Categories: 7
The California Republic, also known as the Bear Flag Republic, was a recognized and long-standing state established by Mexico.
Answer: False
The California Republic was an unrecognized breakaway state, not a recognized and long-standing one established by Mexico. Its existence was brief.
The Bear Flag Revolt was initiated by Californios seeking independence from Mexico.
Answer: False
The revolt was initiated by American immigrants, not Californios, who were the established residents of Mexican descent.
Mexico actively managed and developed Alta California throughout the 1840s, strengthening its central control.
Answer: False
Mexico had neglected Alta California for decades, leading to weak central control and a semi-autonomous environment, rather than active management and development.
In 1845, Mexico City issued orders to welcome new immigrants from the United States into California.
Answer: False
In 1845, Mexico City issued orders to deny entry to new U.S. immigrants and threatened expulsion for those already present without permission, indicating a restrictive policy.
Before the revolt, Alta California was a central and actively governed department of Mexico.
Answer: False
Alta California was a department of Mexico that had been largely neglected by the central government, leading to semi-autonomy, not active governance.
The Californios were the indigenous Native American tribes who resisted American expansion.
Answer: False
Californios were residents of Mexican descent, the established population of Alta California, not indigenous Native American tribes.
How did Mexico's governance of Alta California contribute to the unrest prior to 1846?
Answer: Mexico had neglected the region for decades, leading to semi-autonomy and discussion of future options.
Decades of neglect by Mexico fostered a semi-autonomous environment in Alta California, prompting discussions among residents about the territory's future political status, thereby contributing to unrest.
What directive did Mexico City issue in 1845 concerning American immigrants in California?
Answer: To expel any American immigrants who had arrived without permission
Mexico City issued directives in 1845 to prevent new U.S. immigrants from entering California and to expel those who had arrived without authorization, indicating a restrictive policy.
What was the political status of Alta California under Mexican rule before the Bear Flag Revolt?
Answer: A department of Mexico that was largely neglected by the central government.
Prior to the revolt, Alta California functioned as a department of Mexico but suffered from significant neglect by the central government, leading to a de facto semi-autonomy.
What does the 'California genocide' mentioned in the timeline refer to?
Answer: The catastrophic decline and killing of the indigenous population during settlement.
The term 'California genocide' refers to the severe decline and mass killings of the indigenous population that occurred during the period of European and American settlement in the region.
The flag raised by the insurgents in Sonoma featured a silhouette of a California grizzly bear.
Answer: True
The flag of the California Republic, known as the Bear Flag, prominently displayed a silhouette of a California grizzly bear.
On June 14, 1846, American insurgents captured the pueblo of Sonoma, seizing arms and taking Mexican officers prisoner.
Answer: True
On June 14, 1846, American insurgents successfully captured Sonoma, seizing military assets and taking Mexican officers prisoner, marking a key event in the revolt.
The Battle of Olompali was a minor skirmish with no casualties on either side.
Answer: False
The Battle of Olompali was the only significant armed conflict during the revolt and resulted in casualties on both sides.
Captain de la Torre successfully pursued and captured the Bear Flaggers using a clever military ruse.
Answer: False
Captain de la Torre employed a military ruse to escape pursuit by Frémont's forces, rather than to pursue and capture the Bear Flaggers.
What was the California Republic commonly known as?
Answer: The Bear Flag Republic
The California Republic is widely known by its appellation, the Bear Flag Republic.
For what duration did the California Republic exist as a breakaway state?
Answer: From June 14 to July 9, 1846
The California Republic existed as a breakaway state for a brief period, specifically from June 14 to July 9, 1846.
Who were the main individuals responsible for forming the California Republic?
Answer: American immigrants rebelling against Mexican rule
The California Republic was primarily formed by American immigrants residing in Alta California who initiated a rebellion against the Mexican government.
What symbol was prominently featured on the flag of the California Republic?
Answer: A grizzly bear
The flag of the California Republic, known as the Bear Flag, prominently featured a silhouette of a California grizzly bear.
On what date did the American insurgents capture Sonoma and initiate the Bear Flag Revolt?
Answer: June 14, 1846
The American insurgents captured Sonoma and initiated the Bear Flag Revolt on June 14, 1846.
What critical military resource did the Bear Flaggers struggle to obtain?
Answer: Gunpowder
A significant challenge faced by the Bear Flaggers was the scarcity of gunpowder, which they attempted to procure but were largely unsuccessful in obtaining.
Which battle is identified as the only significant armed conflict during the Bear Flag Revolt?
Answer: Battle of Olompali
The Battle of Olompali is identified as the sole significant armed engagement that occurred during the course of the Bear Flag Revolt.
How did Captain de la Torre manage to escape Frémont's pursuit?
Answer: He used a false report of an impending attack to retreat undetected.
Captain de la Torre successfully evaded Frémont's pursuit by employing a false report of an impending attack, allowing his forces to retreat without engagement.
What was the primary goal of the Bear Flag Revolt, according to William B. Ide's proclamation?
Answer: To overthrow a perceived 'military despotism' and establish a 'Republican Government'.
William B. Ide's proclamation stated the primary goal was to dismantle a perceived 'military despotism' and institute a 'Republican Government' that would safeguard liberties.
Manuel Micheltorena, the governor sent by Mexico in 1845, was well-regarded by the Californians and strengthened Mexican authority.
Answer: False
Manuel Micheltorena was widely disliked and was eventually ejected by the Californians after his forces were defeated, indicating he did not strengthen Mexican authority.
John C. Frémont openly led the Bear Flag Revolt from its inception, acting officially on behalf of the U.S. government.
Answer: False
John C. Frémont covertly encouraged the revolt and provided supplies while maintaining discretion, rather than openly leading it officially from its inception.
William B. Ide was elected leader of the insurgents and authored a proclamation explaining the revolt's purpose.
Answer: True
William B. Ide was indeed elected leader of the insurgents and subsequently authored a proclamation articulating the motivations and objectives of the revolt.
General Castro supported the American settlers' actions and offered them protection.
Answer: False
General Castro condemned the takeover and mobilized forces to counter the rebels, rather than supporting their actions.
Pio Pico was the military commander who disputed authority with Governor Castro over resources.
Answer: False
Pio Pico was the last Mexican Governor of Alta California, not a military commander disputing authority with Castro; rather, Castro was the military commander with whom Pico had disputes.
The California Republic officially ended when John C. Frémont formed the California Battalion.
Answer: False
While Frémont formed the California Battalion, the Republic officially ceased to exist when the U.S. flag was raised in Sonoma on July 9, 1846, marking formal U.S. control.
Lt. Archibald Gillespie's mission to California involved delivering secret messages to U.S. Consul Thomas O. Larkin and John C. Frémont.
Answer: True
Lt. Archibald Gillespie was dispatched with a secret mission to deliver communications to both U.S. Consul Thomas O. Larkin and John C. Frémont in California.
What was John C. Frémont's role during the political turmoil in California?
Answer: He covertly encouraged the revolt and provided supplies while maintaining discretion.
John C. Frémont's expedition became involved in the political turmoil by covertly encouraging the settlers' revolt and providing them with supplies, while operating discreetly to avoid violating U.S. neutrality.
How did Frémont formally incorporate the Bear Flag rebels into his military operations?
Answer: By proposing they unite with his expedition members to form the California Battalion
Frémont formally integrated the Bear Flag rebels by proposing their union with his expedition members to establish the California Battalion, with himself in command.
What was General Castro's initial reaction to the Bear Flag Revolt?
Answer: He condemned the takeover and mobilized forces to counter the rebels.
General Castro's initial reaction was to condemn the revolt and mobilize military forces to oppose the insurgents.
Who was Pio Pico in the context of Alta California's governance?
Answer: The last Mexican Governor of Alta California before the U.S. conquest.
Pio Pico served as the final Mexican Governor of Alta California preceding the territory's conquest by the United States.
What was the significance of Lt. Archibald Gillespie's secret mission to California?
Answer: To deliver messages to U.S. Consul Larkin and John C. Frémont.
Lt. Archibald Gillespie's secret mission involved delivering critical communications to U.S. Consul Thomas O. Larkin and John C. Frémont, indicating U.S. government interest in the region's affairs.
What event involving Frémont's party occurred around April 5, 1846, near Redding?
Answer: The Sacramento River massacre
Around April 5, 1846, Frémont's party was involved in the Sacramento River massacre, an incident where Native Americans were killed near Redding.
The deteriorating political relationship between the United States and Mexico, particularly regarding Texas, had no impact on events in California.
Answer: False
The tense U.S.-Mexico relations, exacerbated by the annexation of Texas, created an atmosphere that directly influenced events in California and served as a catalyst for the revolt and subsequent U.S. actions.
The USS Portsmouth readily supplied the Bear Flaggers with gunpowder, despite U.S. neutrality concerns.
Answer: False
Captain Montgomery of the USS Portsmouth declined to supply gunpowder due to U.S. neutrality concerns, indicating the ship did not readily provide this resource.
The Bear Flag Revolt was an isolated incident with no connection to the broader Mexican-American War.
Answer: False
The Bear Flag Revolt occurred concurrently with the Mexican-American War and was intrinsically linked to it, facilitating the U.S. military occupation of California.
The Thornton Affair, a skirmish on April 25, 1846, was a minor event that did not significantly impact U.S.-Mexico relations.
Answer: False
The Thornton Affair was a significant skirmish that served as a key trigger for the U.S. Congress declaring war on Mexico.
What was the influence of President James K. Polk's policies on California?
Answer: He favored expansionist policies, including the acquisition of California.
President James K. Polk viewed his election as a mandate for expansionism, with a particular interest in acquiring California and New Mexico, which intensified U.S.-Mexico tensions.
Which U.S. Navy warship was present in the area and provided materiel support to Frémont's group?
Answer: USS Portsmouth
The USS Portsmouth, present in San Francisco Bay, provided materiel support to Frémont's group under the direction of U.S. Consul Thomas O. Larkin.
How did the Bear Flag Revolt contribute to the U.S. gaining control of California?
Answer: It destabilized Mexican authority, facilitating the U.S. military occupation during the war.
The revolt destabilized Mexican authority in California, thereby facilitating the subsequent U.S. military occupation and the eventual transfer of control during the Mexican-American War.
The California Gold Rush began before the Bear Flag Revolt, contributing to the initial unrest.
Answer: False
The California Gold Rush began in 1848, which was after the Bear Flag Revolt and the U.S. conquest of California.
Commodore John D. Sloat captured Monterey on July 7, 1846, after receiving confirmation of the Mexican-American War.
Answer: True
Commodore John D. Sloat captured Monterey on July 7, 1846, after receiving confirmation that the Mexican-American War had officially begun.
Who captured Monterey on July 7, 1846, and declared California part of the United States?
Answer: Commodore John D. Sloat
Commodore John D. Sloat captured Monterey on July 7, 1846, and subsequently declared California to be part of the United States.
When did the California Republic officially cease to exist?
Answer: July 9, 1846
The California Republic officially ceased to exist on July 9, 1846, when the United States flag was raised in Sonoma, signifying the assertion of U.S. control.
When did the California Gold Rush begin?
Answer: 1848
The California Gold Rush commenced in 1848, a significant event that followed the period of the Bear Flag Revolt and the U.S. acquisition of California.
What role did the U.S. Navy play in asserting U.S. control over Monterey and Yerba Buena?
Answer: Commodore Sloat captured Monterey, and Lt. Montgomery raised the U.S. flag at Yerba Buena.
The U.S. Navy played a decisive role as Commodore Sloat captured Monterey, and subsequently Lt. Montgomery raised the U.S. flag at Yerba Buena, formally asserting U.S. control over these key locations.
The Bear Flag Monument in Sonoma commemorates the raising of the United States flag during the U.S. takeover.
Answer: False
The Bear Flag Monument in Sonoma commemorates the raising of the original Bear Flag by the insurgents, not the subsequent U.S. flag.
William L. Todd's account of painting the original Bear Flag was written decades later and is considered unreliable.
Answer: False
While William L. Todd's account was written decades later, it is considered the basis for the first official state flag, suggesting it is relied upon for historical representation, not dismissed as unreliable.
The original Bear Flag was preserved and is currently displayed in the California State Capitol.
Answer: False
The original Bear Flag was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, not preserved and displayed in the State Capitol.
The 'California secession' mentioned in the disambiguation notes refers to a modern movement advocating separation from the U.S.
Answer: False
The disambiguation note clarifies that 'California secession' refers to the historical 19th-century California Republic, distinguishing it from contemporary secessionist movements.
What happened to the original Bear Flag after it was taken down?
Answer: It was sent to the Secretary of the Navy and later destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.
After being taken down, the original Bear Flag was sent to the Secretary of the Navy and was subsequently destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
What does the 'California secession' note in the disambiguation clarify?
Answer: It distinguishes the 19th-century California Republic from modern movements advocating secession from the U.S. state of California.
The disambiguation note clarifies that the term 'California secession' pertains to the historical 19th-century California Republic and differentiates it from contemporary movements advocating for the separation of the U.S. state of California.
How did William L. Todd's account influence the visual representation of the Bear Flag?
Answer: His description became the basis for the first official state flag of California.
William L. Todd's account of painting the original Bear Flag served as the foundational description for the design of California's first official state flag.
What was the 'State of Deseret' mentioned in the context of former sovereign or unrecognized states?
Answer: A provisional, unrecognized state proposed by Mormon settlers in 1849.
The 'State of Deseret' was a provisional, unrecognized state proposed by Mormon settlers in 1849, representing an early attempt at self-governance in the Great Basin region.