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In 1821, Guatemala declared independence from Spain. The country briefly joined the Mexican Empire and then became part of the Federal Republic of Central America. Political unity failed due to power struggles between conservatives and liberals.
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In 1821, Guatemala declared independence from Spain. The country briefly joined the Mexican Empire and then became part of the Federal Republic of Central America. Political unity failed due to power struggles between conservatives and liberals. -
Francisco Morazán, a liberal leader, defeated conservative elites in 1829. He expelled the clergy, abolished mandatory tithes, and promoted liberal reforms. His actions triggered strong opposition from conservatives and the Church. -
Mariano Gálvez governed with liberal policies like secular education, civil marriage, and legal reform. But his fast changes, along with a cholera epidemic, caused revolts in rural areas and weakened support for liberalism. -
Rafael Carrera rose from rural support to lead a conservative rebellion. In 1847, Guatemala became a republic with Carrera as president. He restored Church influence and traditional values, ending the liberal period. -
In 1851, Carrera led a small Guatemalan army to defeat a larger alliance from El Salvador and Honduras at the Battle of La Arada. His military strategy boosted Guatemala’s position in the region. -
Carrera’s agreement with the Vatican gave the Catholic Church control over education and public life again. He was declared president for life, bringing back conservative order and stability for a time. -
In 1859, Guatemala signed the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty, recognizing British control over Belize. In return, Britain promised to build a road that was never constructed. The treaty remains controversial. -
Justo Rufino Barrios took power in 1871, launching a second liberal wave. He expelled the clergy, promoted public schools, and tried to modernize the country. But his reforms often hurt indigenous communities. -
Barrios introduced the Reglamento de Jornaleros, forcing indigenous people into debt-based labor. Communal lands were privatized and sold to elites and foreign settlers, deepening inequality and injustice. -
Barrios tried to reunify Central America by military force but died in battle in 1885. His death ended the dream of regional unity and left Guatemala politically unstable again -
After Barrios, Manuel Lisandro Barillas took power and became the first liberal president to peacefully transfer leadership. He promoted culture and allowed open campaigning in elections. -
The 19th century left behind deep divisions. Power struggles shaped laws and institutions. Land inequality, the Church’s role, and indigenous exclusion remained rooted in decisions made during this century.