Once upon a time, before i was a u. s. state, some of my people declared independence from mexico. they named me the 'bear flag republic.' what state am i?

California is your answer.

California, as well as most southern-west US (all the way to Texas) used to be under Mexico's rule, and following the Mexican-American War California was able to gain independence. This led to Californian's voting for and successfully joining the Union as a free state, and became part of the US.

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well it definitly does because if you are seen as weak you will be seen as unimportant and they will walk all over you and the us is the most powerful military and the largest in the world

hope this