Guatemala's timeline

Guatemala

Period: Jan 1, 1500 to Dec 31, 2000

Conquer

Jan 1, 1523

Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado led a Spanish expedition from Mexico and invaded Guatemala

Spanish Colony

Jan 1, 1540

Indigenous Guatemalan population crushed and Guatemala becomes a Spanish colony under the control of the Captaincy General of Guatemala

Mexico

Jan 1, 1821

Guatemala became a part of the Mexican empire

Independence

Sep 15, 1821

Guatemala gains independence from Spain

Mexico

Jan 1, 1823

Guatemala broke away from Mexico

Central America

Dec 1, 1823

The United Provinces of Central America was formed of the five Central American states under General Manuel Jose Arce

Central America

Dec 30, 1823

Guatemala becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America, which also includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua

Independence II

Jan 1, 1840

Guatemala becomes fully independent following the dissolution of the United Provinces of Central America

Carrera

Dec 30, 1840

Rafael Carrera takes control as the first of many Guatemalan liberal dictators up to 1945

Constitution

Jan 1, 1945

A Guatemalan constitution was adopted which was subsequently amended on several occasions