 Most
of central and south America was occupied by the flourishing Mayan
civilization long before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.
This was the golden period for Guatemala with the Mayans forming
one of the most important cultures in its history. There was a
lot of social and cultural progress during this period. Splendid
monuments like temples, pyramids and plazas were built.
In 1519 the Spanish defeated the Aztec empire
of Mexico and moved south to invade Guatemala. By 1528 the Spanish
lieutenant, Pedro de Alvarado was in command of the region. In
1543 Antigua was made the colonial capital after the first capital,
Ciudad Vieja was destroyed by earthquakes and floods. Over the
next two centuries Antigua developed into the economic, political
and cultural capital of Central America. Royalty from all over
Central America were attracted to the monasteries, convents and
universities of Antigua. By the 17th century, Antigua became one
of the richest capitals in the New World.
 However
the region was always vulnerable to natural disasters like floods,
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In 1773 two earthquakes destroyed
most of churches, palaces and other monuments in Antigua. There
was huge loss of life and property. Antigua was abandoned and
Guatemala City was made the capital in 1776.
Independence movements began in the early 19th
century and Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September
15, 1821. In 1823 a Central American convention formed the United
Provinces of Central America, which included Guatemala, El Salvador,
Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. However there was dissention
all around, and in 1829 liberal forces took power. Over the next
century the country experienced a period of instability with coups
and insurgencies forming periods of military rule in-between elected
representatives.
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