Independence and Annexation By The Mexican Empire
Since the 16th Century Spanish conquest of Central America, the territories that became the Federation were governed by a Captaincy General of the Kingdom of Guatemala, based in Guatemala City and associated with the Viceroyalty of New Spain in Mexico City.
On February 24, 1821, General Agustín de Iturbide proclaimed in the town of Iguala, Mexico, the Independence of Mexico under terms thereafter referred to as the Plan of Iguala. The Plan of Iguala had three primary premises: establishment of Roman Catholicism, political independence from Spain, and constitutional equality for all social and ethnic groups in the new order, summarized as "Religion, Independence and Unity" ("Religión, Independencia y Unión"). Developments in Mexico caused considerable concern in Central America. On April 10, in Guatemala City, Captain General Brigadier Gabino Gainza issued a statement denouncing the 'Plan of Iguala' and pledging the Captaincy General to the Spanish Crown.
Events in Mexico precipitated a political crisis in the Captaincy General. On August 24, Viceroy Juan O'Donojú accepted the terms of the Plan of Iguala to end the Mexican Wars of Independence and recognized Mexican independence in the Treaty of Cordoba. On September 8, in Ciudad Real, in assembly, the people of Chiapas, one of the provinces composing the Captaincy General, proclaimed its independence, adopting the Plan of Iguala. In San Salvador the Province of El Salvador declared itself for independence under the Plan of Iguala, but fell short of proclaiming it. Finally on September 14, in Guatemala City, the Captain General and his councilors convoked a General Assembly of dignitaries (including the Archbishop, the heads of the Military branches, the Mayor of Guatemala and his Council and others) to review the question. Before this assembly could be installed, a Popular Assembly called by the City Council which included deputies from the provinces and the citizenry of Guatemala declared independence and the Deed of Declaration of Independence ("Acta de Independencia") was signed and proclaimed on September 15, 1821, which is now recognized as Independence Day by five Central American republics.
An "Interim Consultative Board for the Government of Central America" was installed with representatives from all of the provinces, so that in consultation and agreement with the Captain General, it governed the provinces of the Kingdom of Guatemala until a Constitutional Congress was established. Captain General Gainza was named Executive ("Poder Supremo") and a Congress was called to convene in Guatemala City on 1 March 1822. On September 18, Captain General Gainza communicated to the Regent of Mexico, General Agustin de Iturbide, that the Provinces of the Kingdom of Guatemala, by popular vote, had proclaimed their independence from Spain.
Iturbide responded in a note to Captain General Gainza dated October 19 that " ... the current interests of Mexico and Guatemala are so identical and indivisible, that separate or independent nations cannot be erected without risking their existence or security ..." and ordered the Count de la Cadena to lead a protective expedition to Guatemala, Panama and Campeche to insure their people "enjoyment of their civil liberty and rights as men living in society".
Read more about this topic: Federal Republic Of Central America
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