1829- 40 = The Central American Confederation Wars

These wars are mainly between leaders who support a Federal Union (Liberal) under the main General Morazan and the nationalist (Conservatives) which had several leaders depending on the country. The Unionist tended to win most of the battles but the nationalist motivated a patriotic spirit among the lower classes that allowed them to continually raise new forces.

1823-39 = Guatemalan Civil War.

It was a very long struggle in Guatemala between the Clerical (Conservative) faction and the Liberal (Federalist/ pro-Union) factions. The Clerical party triumphed.

1830

= Unionist General Morazan suppresses an Opoteca revolt in Honduras with a major battle on Feb 19th.

1832

= A Royalist Spanish invasion force is halted in July by Morazan and the Federalist. Guzman commands a Los Altos detachment at Escuintla on February 24 1832, and on September 12, 1832 captures a key fort at Omoa from the Spanish;

1833 = Pipils Revolt.

A major Indian and lower class revolt in Salvador. The Indians won several small skirmishes over local garrisons. However their leader Aquino failed to advance on the capital. After initial Indian victories the rebel army is crushed at San Vicente by hastily raised levy troops from the capital.

1837-40 = The Central American Confederation War.

This was one of several attempts to forcible recreate the Central American Union. Morazan occupied San Salvador on 28 March. In 1838. Morazan had to continue to quell revolt after revolt from Nationalist factions in various regions of the Union. He won numerous battles including Mataquescuintla in October 1938, Chiquimula in December of 1838, San Salvador in March and again in September 1839.

1837-40 = Carrera Revolt in Guatemala.

Between Nationalist-Conservative forces under Carrera and the Federalist Liberal forces under Morazan. After initial Federalist successes, the Conservatives rallied and defeated the Federalist factions. In January, 1838, Guatemala City revolted against Morazan and on the 14th the City was attacked by Liberal/Federalist troops from Sacatepequez and Mita who re-captured it. A Conservative relief force arrived under Carrera who commanded 6,000 Indian mountaineers. After resisting four days, the Liberal garrison surrendered.

1838-50 = The Los Altos War

was Guatemala’s efforts to expand and annex the small country of Los Altos. In September of 1838, Agustin Guzman defeats Race at Rinconcito and captures over 300 badly needed guns. Los Altos Gen Cross was defeated by Race Patzun Hill on July 14 1848. Los Altos Colonel Mariano Walls loses to Race at San Andres the 21 of October 21 1848. The Los Altos army was defeated at Panajachel on October 1849, and its commander, General Agustín Guzmán, was captured at Sololá. Ten days later, Carrera arrived in the town of Quetzaltenango and took the members of the government into custody. A rebellion of peasants, known as the Lucíos, under Serapio Cruz who was seeking to consolidate the secession of the State of Los Altos to increase his personal power. Cruz was soundly beaten by Carrera at Patzún.

1849-1854

= A Honduras and Salvador led effort to reform the Central American Union. The republics of Honduras and Salvador declared war on Guatemala, and sent against it 4,000 men under Vasconcelos, president of Salvador, in December, 1850; but Carrera, with only 1,500 men, defeated the invaders at "La Ara-da," Chiquimula, 2 February, 1851. The effort stalls with a major Guatemalan victory in 1851 at La Arada. Carrera follows up even more minor victories against the Hondurans

1847-1855 = Yucatan Caste War.

This war affected mainly the Belize/ British Honduras area. It was extremely bitter with over half of the total population of the area being killed.

1854-1857 = Nicaragua Civil War.

Leonese (Liberals) based in Leon fight the Conservatives based in Granada. The Honduras government supports the Leonese.

1855 = Guatemala Invades Honduras.

Guatemala who supports the Conservatives in Nicaragua invades Honduras to end their support of the Liberal faction.

1855-56 = Nicaragua’s Walker’s American Filibuster Intervention.

The Leonese faction having lost their Honduras support invites the Filibuster group into the country as allies.

1856-57 = Nicaragua’s National War

This is part of the continuing struggle between the Leonese and Conservative factions. In addition to factional conflict, there arises a concerted effort to rid the country of Walker’s group which has gained control of the government.

1856 = Costa Rica invades Nicaragua.

An alliance led by Costa Rica, invade Nicaragua in an effort to oust the usurper Walker. Salvador contributes three battalions (1600 combatants plus ‘officials’).

1863 = Union Wars.

Initially a war between the liberal leaning Salvador and the conservative Guatemala but it expands with Honduras joining Guatemala and Costa Rica and Nicaragua joining Salvador. After a victorious siege of San Salvador, Guatemala wins.

1869 = Salvadorian Civil War.

Unionist vs Nationalist (Guatemala) In Salvador, the pro-Guatemala government forces under Duenas vs the Unionist (anti-Guatemala) Barrios was victorious at La Union but was still captured.

1867-71 = Guatemala’s Liberal revolution.

A rising under the leadership of Fernando and Serapio Cruz was suppressed in 1867. Two years later, Serapio Cruz was defeated and beheaded at Palencia, near Guatemala City. The final battle took place at San Lucas, near the Old Guatemala City, which overlooks the capital. Conservatives under Cerna fled and the liberals secured Guatemala City on 30 June 1871.

1872-73

= Honduras invades Salvador to maintain a friendly government.

1876?

= Guatemala intervenes in Honduras in order to ensure that a friendly pro-Guatemala government remains in power.

1885 = RESTORATION WAR.

Another attempt to restore the Union of Central American States BUT this time the effort is headed by the Liberal forces under the leadership of Barrios of Guatemala. Guatemalan forces are halted after a short advance into Salvador. Barrios did not begin the war until Zaldivar, made bold by promised support from Mexico would give him, ordered his troops to cross the frontier and attack the Guatemalan forces. The Mexicans protested against Guatemala, but did nothing. The Salvador troops were speedily repelled, and Barrios entered the enemy's country and proceeded to attack Santa Ana, by that time garrisoned by about 7,000 men and defended by earthworks. The actual fighting began on 30 March the day when the Salvador troops crossed the frontier. Guatemalan forces are halted after a short advance into Salvador at the battle of CHALCHUAPA where barrios is killed. Honduras had sent reinforcements to aid the Guatemalans but they were recalled after Barrios died.

1906

= Guatemala invades Honduras. This time the Honduras army halts the invader.

1906

= Guatemala invades Salvador. After losing the first series of battles, Salvador rallies, defeats and forces the retreat of the Guatemalan army a few weeks later.

1907

= Nicaragua invades Honduras in support of the exile faction and expecting a weaken Honduras army, The Salvador army joins with Honduras to repel the invasion. The Nicaraguan army consists of 8,000 trained troops. The Honduras army is able to raise a large militia and add Salvadorian allies to field over 30,000 men. In March, the Honduras army wins a major battle that ends the war with both sides losing about 2,000 men. Also of note is the first use of the machinegun in Central America and the deployment of US Marines to protect American owned banana plantations.

Crisis in Central America 1800s

Introduction
Chronology of Conflicts
Significant Battles
Organization Notes and Uniforms
Central American Personalities