The Federal Republic of Central America, also known as the United Provinces of Central America, was a short-lived country in Central America that comprised the present-day countries of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The territory also included Chiapas (Mexican southern) and Los Altos, a former state that occupied present-day west Guatemala. The state was established in 1823 after Central America gained its independence from Spain’s New World Empire and was led by Francisco Morazan, a Honduran liberal. However, the constant fights between the conservatives and liberals due to ideological differences led to the federation’s dissolution in 1840. The republic disintegrated into the various countries forming part of Central America today.
Read MoreThe 7 Countries Of Central America
History Of The Federation
The Colonial Era
Central America comprises seven sovereign states; Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica. These countries share similar history because of the Spanish influence in the region. The Spanish conquered most of Central America in the 16th century, except Belize and the West Caribbean Zone, mainly occupied by the British. From the 16th century to 1821, the Central American region (except present-day Panama) was known as the Kingdom of Guatemala or the Captaincy General of Guatemala within New Spain (Spanish Empire).The Captaincy was supervised by the Spanish viceroy based in Mexico City, although the viceroy nor his deputies administered the kingdom. It was administered by a Captain General appointed who was stationed first in Antigua, then Guatemala City. However, the region remained just a remote outpost, with the colonial authorities largely ignoring it. Central America had no mineral wealth like Mexico and Peru, and the natives were fierce and difficult to control or enslave. Central America had a population of about one million, with most people living in Guatemala.
Independence

Mexico Empire
Central America’s independence was short-lived because the rival groups refused to be part of the federation in Guatemala. On January 25, 1822, Guatemala’s conservatives welcomed the idea of annexation by the First Mexican Empire. However, the liberals objected to this idea, and General Vincente Filisola, sent by Emperor Agustin as Guatemala’s new ruler. The union between the Mexican Empire and Central America led to several conflicts and battles, making political unity difficult. Costa Rica decided against joining the Mexican Empire as part of its resolution at the end of the Ochomogo War. After Agustin’s empire dissolved in 1823 and Mexico became a republic, the Congress of Central America Constituent Assembly declared independence from the Spanish Empire on July 1, 1823.
Establishment Of The Federal Republic

The federation was governed by a federal president, based in Guatemala, assisted by local governors from the five local states. Liberals had high hopes in the federation and believed Central America would become a democratic nation. During the federation’s existence, the Catholic Church played a central role in the position of power, while the European creoles obtained the voting right. The slaves were emancipated and slavery was outlawed in the region. However, thousands of Indians continued to live in captivity.
The National Emblems

Conflict And Dissolution

The conservatives did not relent in their opposition to the Morazan-led liberals. The conflict between the two parties, alongside poverty and cholera outbreaks, resulted in civil wars throughout the federation. Morazan was forced to relocate the capital to Guatemala City in 1834 to please the conservatives. The clergy insisted that the 1837 cholera outbreak was liberals’ punishment from God. Lack of central authority encouraged distrust and disputes among the different provinces, further weakening the federation.
The civil war between 1838 and 1840 finally led to the union’s disintegration, with Nicaragua as the first country to cede from the federation in November 1838. Costa Rica and Honduras also separated shortly after Nicaragua, while Rafael Carrera seized and controlled Guatemala. Thus, Morazan was only left Costa Rica and El Salvador. However, he fled to Colombia in 1840, leading to the final collapse of the federation. By this time, four states had declared their independence. However, tension continued to grow among the nations throughout the 19th century. Through the years, several attempts have been made to reunite these countries, but none has succeeded.
Map of the Federal Republic of Central America.