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1500
Land is Stolen
During colonial times, Spaniards take control of all indigenous lands, limiting their agricultural and livestock activities.
4% of the Creole members owned two thirds of the indigenous land. -
1542
Slavery
As part of the external causes of independence, Carlos I of Spain ordered that every Indian be treated as a subject or slave of the king.
During special celebrations such as the San Juan and Christmas festivities, the indigenous people had to pay taxes. The taxes were not for money, it was for example corn, beans, honey and salt, etc. to be able to sustain the festivities that the Spaniards celebrated. -
1550
Indigenous Rights
Seeing the book "Royal Law Institutions of Castile and the Indies" it is said that the Sacred Scriptures and Natural Law justify slavery.
In the book he says, "Servitude does not disgust either reason or natural right, since it is approved by Sacred Scripture ... the fetus of the slave who serves must also serve." Indigenous people couldn't do many things because of the "laws." Analyzing this well, the Indians had no right in these times that defended them from any injustice. -
The Internal Causes
There are several files in the General Archive of Central America, which explain the riots and lynchings that were carried out by the political authorities and the church.
These violent protests were caused by forced labor, disrespect for indigenous beliefs and the rapture of land. If these riots never happened, we wouldn't have had progress in time. -
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Riots and Lynchings against Political and Religious Authorities
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Inheritances
Most of the first conquerors had already died, leaving their children as an inheritance. They would have to marry a Spaniard woman to have full Spanish inheritance. It was Pedro de Alvarado and Pedrarias Dávila's idea to bring the first Spanish women to America.
Thus, the great and powerful had who to pass all that power to. -
The Enlightenment and the Cortes of Cádiz
It was tried to make new transformations to reduce the extreme level of poverty and illiteracy in the town. This problem is discovered after a thorough analysis of the town was made. The town would soon find out about the French Revolution that encouraged them to do the same. -
The Illustration
The different revolutions that had happened historically, influenced Central America to do the same. With the help of the Encyclopedia of Sciences and other works, enlightened thought was developed. Each revolution focused on defeating some unjust power. -
Napoleonic Invasion To Spain
Spain loses control of its possessions in America when Napoleon Bonaparte invades. The Spanish colonies have an opportunity to get up because Spain had difficulties with the attacks. The colonies would soon have their own revolution in Central America -
Period: to
Uprisings and Riots
Protests that demanded respect for local rights. They shouted, "Long live free Guatemala!" -
Pacific Plan of Independence
The main objective of this document was to create political conditions that allow the separation of power in the Kingdom of Guatemala, in a peaceful manner. -
The Independence of Mexico and The Plan of Iguala
Mexico managed to expel the Spaniards from their land with, the Grito de Dolores, and military leader, Agustín de Iturbide, announced the Plan of Iguala. This plan consisted in leaving the dependence on Spain but maintaining the political and economic system the same. The oligarchies agreed with this plan because it meant keeping their privileges. In the end they also decided to promote the annexation to Mexico. -
Debate and Act of Independence
The independence of Central America was declared. This independence was not absolute. The political representative of Guatemala, Gavino Gaínza, attended a memorable meeting where he talked about independence and who favored it. Those present at the meeting were the only ones who were entitled to the approval of independence. -
Annex to Mexico
The Kingdom of Guatemala dominated the economic, local and regional interests that caused conflict between them.
During this stage the countries were united as one under the power of Mexico since they agreed with that power. Mind you, they did not consult with the towns first as well as with the Central American independence. -
The Absolute Independence
The political groups were reorganized into two camps, the Liberals and Conservatives. Also the division of power, legislative, judicial and executive. The five countries, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua became the Federal Republic of Central America after Iturbide was shot. It existed almost 16 years. In the end they became independent of all force.
