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Quiz about Bear Flag Revolt and Early Statehood

Bear Flag Revolt and Early Statehood Quiz

The Bear Flag revolt was the event which tore California from Mexican hands and initiated its transition into the U.S.A.

A multiple-choice quiz by darthdragon. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
darthdragon

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
206,066

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
7 / 15

Plays
616

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. When the Bear Flag Revolt began, who was in command of the Mexican military forces in California? Hint

Jose Castro

Mariano Vallejo

Juan Alvarez

Santa Anna

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Question 2 of 15

2. After Pio Pico became governor of California, where did he move the capital to? Hint

Santa Barbara

San Fransisco

Los Angeles

San Diego

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Question 3 of 15

3. John Fremont, who became one of the major participants in the revolt, made his second sojourn in California in 1846. He was very quickly accused of what crime by Sebastin Peralta? Hint

Possession of stolen goods

Murder

Assault

Inciting a riot

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Question 4 of 15

4. After John Fremont's departure the next group of American settlers was led by William B. Ide. What was Ide's profession before coming to California? Hint

Banker

Schoolteacher

Lawyer

Butcher

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Question 5 of 15

5. In June, 1846 William Ide and his men captured a town. In this town they first raised the Bear Flag and declared the beginning of the short lived California Republic. What was the town? Hint

Monterey

Yerba Buena

Sausalito

Sonoma

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Question 6 of 15

6. What became of John C. Fremont after the Bear Flag Revolt? Hint

Court-martialed and sentenced to prison

Elected senator

Died a pauper

Went into mining

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Question 7 of 15

7. What "Dame" wrote a series of memorable letters and pieces about her times as one of the few women in the California gold fields? Hint

Cheryl

Jane

Louise

Shirley

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Question 8 of 15

8. Which of these was *not* one of the actual "radical" provisions included in the first California Constitution? Hint

Banning free blacks

Banning of dueling

Protection of women's property rights

Prohibiting the use of paper money

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Question 9 of 15

9. What Roman goddess is on the seal of the state of California? Hint

Minerva

Venus

Juno

Diana

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Question 10 of 15

10. In 1850 the foreign Miners' Tax law was passed. What was the amount that was imposed on all non-citizen miners? Hint

$20

$10

$15

$25

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Question 11 of 15

11. What is the name of the best known vigilante tribunal that operated in San Francisco in 1856? Hint

Vigilance of America

Eternal Vigilance

Vigilance Committee

The Great Western Watch

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Question 12 of 15

12. Chinese immigrants had a special name for California. In Mandarin it was called "chin shan", and the Cantonese called it "gum san" but both translate into what two word phrase? Hint

Distant Land

Far Mountain

Golden Mountain

Golden Land

13. In the 20th century California became known for its agricultural production, but that is not how it has always been. In 1869, at the time of the arrival of the railroad, California had only one profitable export. What was it? Hint

Strawberries

Oranges

Wine

Olives

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Question 14 of 15

14. By the end of the 1850s Thomas Macguire owned or operated over half of what type of establishment in California? Hint

Saloons

Theaters

Brothels

General stores

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Question 15 of 15

15. What city became known as the "Instant City", due to its rapid buildup and development? Hint

Santa Barbara

Los Angeles

San Francisco

San Diego

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When the Bear Flag Revolt began, who was in command of the Mexican military forces in California?

Answer: Jose Castro

Mariano Vallejo was a subordinate of Castro and Santa Anna was in charge of everything down in Mexico.

2. After Pio Pico became governor of California, where did he move the capital to?

Answer: Los Angeles

The old capital of Monterey remained the military headquarters of Jose Castro.

3. John Fremont, who became one of the major participants in the revolt, made his second sojourn in California in 1846. He was very quickly accused of what crime by Sebastin Peralta?

Answer: Possession of stolen goods

Fremont and his men were accused of being in the possession of horses that had been stolen from Peralta. Fremont ignored the charges and refused to appear in court.

4. After John Fremont's departure the next group of American settlers was led by William B. Ide. What was Ide's profession before coming to California?

Answer: Schoolteacher

Ide later played a major role in the Bear Flag Revolt. At the end of the revolt he was demoted to a private because of his troubled relationship with Fremont. He retired to his ranch and later assumed many important positions in Colusi County in the last years before his death.

5. In June, 1846 William Ide and his men captured a town. In this town they first raised the Bear Flag and declared the beginning of the short lived California Republic. What was the town?

Answer: Sonoma

Originally when Sonoma was targeted it was because the rebels wished to take the relatively unguarded armory away from Mexican forces so that they would not face retaliation for certain vigilante actions they had committed. After they secured the city, though, they changed their minds and decided to enact a real revolution.

6. What became of John C. Fremont after the Bear Flag Revolt?

Answer: Elected senator

He, along with William Gwin, were the first two senators from California, elected even before California officially became a state.

7. What "Dame" wrote a series of memorable letters and pieces about her times as one of the few women in the California gold fields?

Answer: Shirley

Dame Shirley's letters provided insight into not only the life of women in the camps but also details of work and play of miners and of the prejudices, personalties and critiques of camp society.

8. Which of these was *not* one of the actual "radical" provisions included in the first California Constitution?

Answer: Banning free blacks

The protection of women's rights came from an existing Spanish practice. The paper money issue reflected Jacksonian preferences but was amended a few years later.

9. What Roman goddess is on the seal of the state of California?

Answer: Minerva

She is accompanied by a grizzly bear, who shortly after the seal's adoption became extinct in the wilds of California.

10. In 1850 the foreign Miners' Tax law was passed. What was the amount that was imposed on all non-citizen miners?

Answer: $20

The tax served a dual purpose. It was meant to raise revenue for the fledgling state to the tune of 2.4 million annually and also keep undesirable minorities out of the mines. Due to challenges in the state supreme court and protests by miners the law was repealed in 1851.

11. What is the name of the best known vigilante tribunal that operated in San Francisco in 1856?

Answer: Vigilance Committee

The organization lasted for less than a year before disbanding proclaiming their mission done, even though there was no noticeable drop in crime rates. Soon a second group, the People's Reform Party took their place and gained even more control over the city.

12. Chinese immigrants had a special name for California. In Mandarin it was called "chin shan", and the Cantonese called it "gum san" but both translate into what two word phrase?

Answer: Golden Mountain

Their erroneous belief mirrored the popular myth that the streets of California were "paved with gold".

Answer: Wine

Although California has since become known as major producers of all these products, only wine was profitable enough for export in the early days.

14. By the end of the 1850s Thomas Macguire owned or operated over half of what type of establishment in California?

Answer: Theaters

He not only ran those in major cities like Sacramento and San Francisco but also most in the mining towns. His fortunes took a turn for the worse in the 1870s due to increased competition.

15. What city became known as the "Instant City", due to its rapid buildup and development?

Answer: San Francisco

In a little over five years San Francisco went from a mud flat town to a city on par with nearly any other U.S. city of the time.

Source: Author darthdragon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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