<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The California Republic was an unrecognized breakaway state that, for twenty - five days in 1846, militarily controlled an area north of San Francisco, in and around what is now Sonoma County State of California . </P> <P> In June 1846, thirty - three American immigrants in Alta California rebelled against the Mexican department's government . The immigrants had not been allowed to buy or rent land and had been threatened with expulsion from California because they had entered illegally without official permission . Mexican officials were concerned about a coming war with the United States coupled with the growing influx of Americans into California . The rebellion was soon overtaken by the beginning of the Mexican--American War . </P> <P> The name "California Republic" appeared only on the flag the insurgents raised in Sonoma . It indicated their aspiration of forming a republican government for California . The insurgents elected military officers but no civil structure was ever established . The flag featured an image of a California grizzly bear and became known as the Bear Flag and the revolt as the Bear Flag Revolt . </P>

Who led a small force to overthrow mexican rule in northern california