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Independence: AD 1838-

Honduras is under the control of a conservative faction when it breaks away from the Central American Federation in 1838. It is leaving an organization headed by a Honduran, Francisco Morazán, who is liberal and passionately committed to the idea of central American unity. So Honduras has at its heart, from the beginning, the essential 19th-century clash between liberal and conservative interests. As in most of Latin America, the conservatives are more often the ones in power.

In 1838 the Caribbean coast of the nation (the Mosquito coast) is of little economic use. Indeed during the Spanish colonial period it has largely been abandoned to buccaneers. But this changes in the late 19th century.

Central American Federation: AD 1823-1838

Recognizing the forceful leadership of Iturbide, the colonists of Guatemala offer to merge their region in 1821 with Mexico - uniting as one nation the previous viceroyalty of New Spain. The link holds when Iturbide makes himself emperor, in 1822. But with his sudden fall and flight from Mexico, in 1823, Guatemala decides to assert its own independence.

The region from the southern border of Mexico to Panama now declares itself to be a new nation. It is to be known as the Central American Federation, with its capital in Guatemala City.

Within Guatemala: to AD 1821

Within the Spanish empire the long narrow strip of central America is known as Guatemala. It is among the earliest of colonial conquests on the mainland. Pedro de Alvarado, a leading member of Cortés’ small party in the conquest of Mexico (1519-21), is sent south in 1523 to subdue the smaller area now known as Guatemala. In 1524 he pushes on into El Salvador. In the same year Spanish conquistadors enter Costa Rica and Nicaragua from the east, invading from Panama.

Honduras, the buffer region between east and west, is disputed between the rival groups of Spaniards. An advance guard from Panama gets there first. Cortés sends a force from Mexico, which eventually prevails.

Culturally diverse histories

Honduran citizens have culturally diverse histories

Honduras is home to a variety of ethnic groups related to ancient Maya civilizations, pirates and Spanish conquistadors.

The Pech, Tawahka and Miskito live in very remote areas of Honduras. The Pech and Tawahka are believed to be descendents of the Paya who, in turn, may have descended from a South American group called Chibchas. The Moskitia are thought to have come to live in the area of La Mosquitia long after the Pech and Tawahka first settled there nearly 3,000 ago.

The Moskito may be descendents of shipwrecked slaves from the many boats that sank off of Honduras’ northeastern coast.

History

During the first millennium, Honduras was inhabited by the Maya. Columbus explored the country in 1502. Honduras, with four other Central American nations, declared its independence from Spain in 1821 to form a federation of Central American states. In 1838, Honduras left the federation and became independent. Political unrest rocked Honduras in the early 1900s, resulting in an occupation by U.S. Marines. Dictator Gen. Tiburcio Carias Andino established a strong government in 1932.