Bear Flag RevoltBear Flag Revolt

American settlers rebelled in 1845 when Mexican authorities ordered them off their California homesteads. Fifteen-year-old David Brennan, who came west with Kit Carson as a civilian member of Captain John Frémont's map-making expedition, secretly joined the rebels. The ragtag army captured Sonoma, declared independence from Mexico, and raised their hand-painted flag as they created the Bear Flag Republic. If Frémont had secret orders from President James Polk to seize California, why did he hesitate to participate in the rebellion? It was Frémont and the Bear Flaggers who ensured California belonged to the United States. Why, then, did the American army want to court-martial Frémont?