 | History of Central America: Encyclopedia II - History of Central America - Independence
History of Central America - Independence
In 1821 a congress of Central American Creoles declared their independence from Spain, effective on 15 September of that year. That date is still marked as the independence day by most Central American nations. The Spanish Captain General, Gabino Gaínza, sympathized with the rebels and it was decided that he should stay on as interim leader until a new government could be formed. Independence was short-lived, for the conservative leaders in Guatemala welcomed annexation by the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide on 5 January 1822. Central American liberals objected to this, but an army from Mexico under General Vicente Filisola occupied Guatemala City and quelled dissent.
When Mexico became a republic the following year, it acknowledged Central America's right to determine its own destiny. On 1 July 1823, the congress of Central America declared absolute independence from Spain, Mexico, and any other foreign nation, and a Republican system of government was established.
History of Central America - The United Provinces of Central America
Main article: United Provinces of Central America
In 1823 the nation of Central America was formed. It was intended to be a federal republic modeled after the United States of America, and it was known officially as "The United Provinces of Central America" and is known sometimes today in English as "The United States of Central America." The Central American nation consisted of the states of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. In the 1830s an additional state was added, Los Altos, with its capital in Quetzaltenango, occupying parts of what is now the western highlands of Guatemala and Chiapas (now part of Mexico), but this state was reincorporated into Guatemala and Mexico respectively in 1840.
Central American liberals had high hopes for the federal republic, which they believed would evolve into a modern, democratic nation, enriched by trade crossing through it between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. These aspirations are reflected in the emblems of the federal republic: The flag shows a white band between two blue stripes, representing the land between two oceans. The coat of arms shows five mountains (one for each state) between two oceans, surmounted by a Phrygian cap, the emblem of the French Revolution.
The Union dissolved in civil war between 1838 and 1840. Its disintegration began when Honduras separated from the federation on November 5, 1838.
History of Central America - Greater Republic of Central America
Main article: Greater Republic of Central America
Various attempts were made to reunite Central America in the 19th century, but none succeeded for any length of time. The first attempt was in 1842 by former President Morazán, who was quickly captured and executed. The abortive attempt aimed to restore the union as the Confederation of Central America and included El Salvador, Guatemala (which withdrew early), Honduras, and Nicaragua). This first attempt lasted until 1844. A second attempt was made and lasted from October to November 1852, when El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua created a Federation of Central America (Federacion de Centro America). Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios attempted to reunite the nation by force of arms in the 1880s and was also killed in the process, like his 1842 predecessor. A third union of Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador as the Greater Republic of Central America or "Republica Mayor de Centroamerica" lasted from 1896 to 1898. The latest attempt occurred between June 1921 and Jan 1922 when El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras formed a (second) Federation of Central America. This second Federation was nearly moribund from the start having only a Provisional Federal Council made up of delegates from each state.
Other related archives1 July, 15 September, 16th century, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1830s, 1838, 1848, 1856, 1857, 1880s, 1903, 1907, 1960, 1973, 1991, 19th century, 5 January, Agustín de Iturbide, Antigua Guatemala, Atlantic, Belize, British, Central America, Central American Common Market, Central American Court of Justice, Central American Parliament, Chiapas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Creoles, December 13, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Revolution, Guatemala, Guatemala City, History of Belize, History of Central America, History of Costa Rica, History of El Salvador, History of Guatemala, History of Honduras, History of Latin America, History of Nicaragua, History of Panama, History of South America, History of the Americas, History of the Caribbean, Honduras, Justo Rufino Barrios, Los Altos, Mesoamerican, Mexico, Mexico City, Native American, New Granada, New Spain, Nicaragua, November 5, Pacific, Panama, Phrygian cap, Quetzaltenango, Republic of Central America, Republican, South America, Spanish, U.S., United Provinces of Central America, United States of America, William Walker, federal republic, flags, independence day, liberals, pre-Columbian, republic, viceroy
 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Independence", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
