Guatemala Timeline
1000s BC The earliest civilization in the area of Guatemala dates back to this time period. The people lived at Las Charcas.
250-900 AD The Mayan Civilization thrived in Guatemala.
1523 Pedro de Alvarado led a Spanish expedition from Mexico and invaded Guatemala. Alvarado established Spanish rule.
1570 Spain established the Audiencia in Guatemala. It was a high court of judges and administrators. It was headquartered in Antigua.
1776 The Audencia was moved to Guatemala City. An earthquake had destroyed Antigua.
15 September 1821 Guatemala declared its independence from Spain.
1821 Guatemala became a part of the Mexican empire.
1823 Guatemala broke away from Mexico and formed the United Provinces of Central America.
1839 Guatemala left the United Provinces of Central America. Rafael Carrerea became the dictator
1871 The liberals took control of the government. The people still did not have political freedom.
1871-1944 A number of liberal dictators ruled Guatemala. They promoted economic growth. They also encouraged foreigners to immigrate to the country.
1906 The United States company called the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita Brands International) began developing banana plantations in Guatemala.
1944 Jorge Ubico, the dictator, was forced to resign and a social and economic revolution began in Guatemala.
1945 A constitution was adopted. Juan Jose Arevalo became the president. He encouraged education and medical improvements.
1951 Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman became president.
1952 The government began to tke over privately owned land and distribute it among landless peasants. Large areas owned by the United Fruit company were taken as part of this government program.
June 1954 The United States supported a revolt against Arbenz to remove him from office. The United States feared that he had some Communist influences.
1956 A new constitution was adopted.
1963 The Military seized control of the government.
1966 A sixth constitution was adopted.
1970s Guatemala began to open several hydroelectric plants.
1976 A major earthquake struck Guatemala causing around 23,000 deaths and $700 million in damage.
Late 1970s Violence became widespread throughout Guatemala. Leftist groups fought against the government.
1970-1982 Four presidential elections were held. Each time a military officer was elected president.
March 1982 General Angel Anibal Guevar won the presidential election. However, before he could take office a group of military officers took control of the government. They suspended the constitution and abolished Congress, banned political party activities, and they formed a three-member military junta.
1983 Rios Montt, the junta's leader, was overthrown after he declared himself the only ruler of Guatemala.
1985 Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo was elected president. He was a civilian. A new constitution was written and Congress was reconvened.
1986 The civilian government took office. Military leaders tired several times to take control of the government, but they were unsuccessful.
1991 Jorge Serrano Elias was elected president.
May 1993 Serrano dissolved Congress and announced that he would rule by presidential order.
June 1993 Serrano was removed from office by military officials. Ramiro de Leon Carpio was then elected president
1996 Anti-government groups signed a peace treaty with they government ending the widespread violence.
1999 Alfonso Portillo Cabera was elected president.
Works Cited
Elbow, Gary S. "Guatemala." Worldbookonline.com.