A brief history of Honduras
1502
Christopher
Columbus reaches the north coast of Honduras.
Early
1500s
Spanish exploration and
conquest result in disease and destruction of much of the indigenous
population.
Early
1800s
The countries of
Central America are briefly united in a confederation, the collapse of
which leaves Honduras inadequately prepared to cope with the rigours of
functioning as an independent, autonomous state.
1820s
Honduras enters a
century of civil strife that leaves the country vulnerable to outside
intervention.
1940s
Large companies move in to control banana producing lands in the north
creating a classic ‘banana republic’.
1950s
In response to a
growing labour movement the fruit companies begin to move out and
nationalisation of the banana plantations leads to mismanagement,
corruption and a concentration of wealth in the hands of a few
individuals.
50s,
60s & 70s
Honduras receives large
amounts of foreign aid as United States foreign policy places a high
priority on maintaining political and economic influence in Central
America.
1980s
Military activity in neighbouring countries and massive amounts of
economic and military aid open up previously inaccessible areas of La
Mosquitia to outside development with the potential for widespread
environmental and cultural destruction.
1990s
and beyond
Much of the infrastructure installed to handle the
influx of refugees into La Mosquitia during the 80s is dismantled and the
amount of aid cut. International
attention turns to the need for conservation of remaining natural
resources, the self-determination of indigenous peoples and the
establishment of protected areas.
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