Question

which event led to california becoming a republic? us and mexican officials signed the treaty of guadalupe hidalgo. mexico attacked zachary taylor’s forces in the thornton affair. john frémont declared himself president of an independent california. americans took over a mexican garrison in the bear flag revolt.

Explanation:

To determine the event that led to California becoming a republic, we analyze each option:

• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican - American War and led to Mexico ceding land (including California) to the US, but it was after California had already declared itself a republic.
• The Thornton Affair was an incident that helped spark the Mexican - American War, not directly related to California becoming a republic.
• John Frémont did not declare himself president of an independent California in a way that led to it becoming a republic.
• The Bear Flag Revolt was when Americans (mostly American settlers in California) took over a Mexican garrison in Sonoma. After this revolt, they declared California an independent republic (the California Republic) with the bear flag as its symbol.

Answer:

D. Americans took over a Mexican garrison in the Bear Flag Revolt.