By the 1840s, a majority of what is now California was under the control of the Spanish colony of New Spain. Most settlers in California were white and from the United States. These white settlers were undermined by the Spanish government in terms of land rights. Thus, they desired a free republic. In Sonoma in 1846, William B. Ide declared California to be a republic. This started the so-called Bear Flag Revolt. However, these rebels were very ill-equipped and untrained. Nevertheless, Spain violently put the rebellion down. The only thing that remained in Sonoma after the townspeople fled was a flag with a bear on it. The Spanish troops didn't take it down as they left the town, making it a rebellious symbol.