Gain and colonial epoch. The name "Honduras" means in Spanish "depths" and has been given by the Spanish seafarers; as it is noted in Columbus's logbook, its vessels could not rise on an anchor at coast because of the big depths in any way. On an extent bolshej parts of the history Honduras remained "remote places"; after declaration of political independence it was under the influence Guatemala and El Salvador, and never-ending internal contentions stirred to economic development.
Columbus who has landed in 1502 on east extremity of coast of Honduras, on cape to which it has entitled Grasias-and-dios ("Thank goodness") was the first European who has reached this earths. At that time American Indian tribes lived in this area some. After conquest of Mexico Ernan Cortes has sent here in 1524 group under supervision of Kristobalja de Olida for research and colonisation of this territory; the same year Olid has based there the first settlement, Triumfo-de-la-Krus. Having found out silver deposits, Olid has decided to separate; having learnt about it, Cortes has departed the forced march from Mexico City through jungle and bogs along coast of Gulf of Mexico, has crossed the basis of peninsula Yucatan and has reached Honduras in 1525. Olid by then has already been killed. Cortes has based some settlements, however conquerors have faced fierce resistance of Indians under command of leader Lempiry.
To 1539 Honduras Guatemala has been switched on in structure general in him was two provinces – Tegucigalpa and Komajagua, each of which coped the governor. The colony developed slowly, despite ruthless exploitation of Indians on silver mines. In 1821 Honduras, as well as other countries of Central America and Mexico, has proclaimed the independence of Spain, but has been the same year annexed by Mexico where Agustin de Iturbide has established a monarchy mode (the Mexican empire).
Federation of Central America. After empire Iturbide disorder to 1823 Honduras and the republics next to it have formed a federative state the Connected provinces of Central America, under the constitution 1824 received name Federation of Central America. The federations which have begun after creation political conflicts have delivered Honduras (as well as other republics) in the heaviest position. The basic struggle occurred between conservative elements – the large Spanish land owners acting in the union with Catholic church, and liberals which number the intellectual elite and the Creoles-land owners supporting a secular state and market economy concerned.
In 1825 Salvadorian liberal Manuel José Arse has been selected by the first president of Federation of Central America, however next year it has renounced the consignment, having accepted a number of measures which have led to returning to the power of conservatives and actual cancellation of the liberal constitution. In the civil war which has followed it the important role the outstanding native of Honduras liberal Fransisko Morasan who has become by the national hero has played. In 1829 army under its command has won army Arse and has taken Guatemala; the federal constitution has been restored, and in 1830 Morasan has been selected by the president. Though Morasan undoubtedly was the capable chief, he unduly hurried up with liberal reforms. Besides, the republics entering into federation, still were afraid of claims of Guatemala for domination though Morasan and has transferred to 1832 capital to San Salvador. In long run, in 1838 republics officially declared the exit from Federation.
Independence. On October, 26th 1838 Legislative Assembly in Komajagua has proclaimed Honduras independent republic. The Guatemalan dictator Raphael Karrera keeping the power with 1844 on 1865, has dethroned the liberal governments in Honduras and El Salvador. It partly was the incentive reason for three neighbouring countries – El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua where the tendency to association has been hardly enough expressed, to form in 1849 confederation. The union has existed to 1863.
At the same time the Great Britain in which possession there was Belize, has extended the control to archipelago Islas-de-la-Baija at coast of Honduras. Englishmen conducted for a long time lesorazrabotki on these islands and on coast Moskitovom – the boggy and covered dense woods of coastal lowland within east Honduras and Nicaragua, occupied by Indians miskito. When in California «the gold fever» (1948) has flashed, there was a question on necessity of a short way through Central America. The Great Britain, being afraid, that the USA will agree from Nicaragua about channel construction, has seized a river San Juan mouth – east extremity of an assumed waterway. The USA have protested, and the question has been settled by means of the prisoner in 1850 agreements Klejtona – Bulvera according to which both powers were obliged to abstain from grab and strengthening of any territory within Central America. To 1859 Great Britain has returned to Honduras islands and a plot of Mosquito coast belonging to it.
With 1871 on 1874 Honduras was at war with El Salvador and Guatemala. Upon termination of this war the civil war in the Honduras has flashed; it has ended with election on a post of president Ponsiano Lejvy which nominee was supported by Guatemala. The following president (in 1876–1883) was Marko Aurelio Soto, the adherent of liberal reforms. In 1880 long rivalry between the cities of Tegucigalpas and Komajagua has ended with that Tegucigalpa has definitively affirmed as quality of capital. 20 centuries. To a turn of the century Honduras remained the poorest and least developed country of Central America. The fruit companies of the USA which have begun production of bananas on plantations along the Caribbean coast, soon steels decisive force in an economic and political life of the country. To 1910 American companies supervised 80 % of all banana plantations, and production of bananas was the basic branch of an economy. Honduras has been nicknamed by "banana republic». When in 1911 and 1913 in the country there were excitements, the USA have acted on the party of ruling elite for the purpose restoration of an order and protection of the property. Washington six more times interfered with affairs of Honduras within the first 30 years of 20 centuries Internal contentions have come by the end when in 1933 president became Tibursio Karias Andino, the established mode of severe dictatorship. In January 1949 Karias has left from a post of the president, having chosen successor Juan Manuelja Galvesa which was supported by the National consignment.
Galves, however, has shown amazing independence and has begun realisation important economic and social reforms. At him new roads, schools, public health services establishments were under construction; efforts were made making agriculture more diversified. It has been begun there was a realisation of the major program of construction in cities of waterworkses and the water drain. In 1954 there was the largest strike; it have begun 27 thousand working banana plantations which other workers and as a result all country was captured by a general strike which has compelled the government to legalise activity of trade unions have joined.
In October 1954 presidential elections have taken place, but any candidate has not received the required majority; in December the power was seized by vice-president Galvesa, Hulio Losano Dias. In October 1956 military junta has dethroned Losano, has organised elections in Legislative Assembly and in 1957 has promulgated the new constitution. In November 1957 Legislative Assembly has carried out presidential elections which became Ramon Vileda Morales. Vileda has begun realisation of the agrarian reform which has displeased land owners and army. Presidential board Viledy became complicated continually flashing excitements, and in October 1963 there was a next military coup d'etat. In 1965 new election in Legislative Assembly which then has chosen the president for the next 6-year-old term have taken place. The military man, colonel Osvaldo Lopez Areljano who has suspended begun at Vilede agrarian reforms became them.
In 1960th years there was an appreciable deterioration of relations between Honduras and El Salvador; the reason of it were demarcation disputes, and also the numerous facts of resettlement of landless and unemployed citizens of El Salvador to Honduras. On July, 14th 1969, after a scandalous football match between commands of these countries, taken place in San Salvador and accompanied by skirmishes between fans, «football war» has flashed so-called. Four days of military actions, according to estimations, cost lives two thousand persons. In June 1970 conflict managed to be settled partially – the countries have agreed about an establishment of the demilitarised zone, and in 1976 have agreed to settle dispute through intermediaries. Relations between Honduras and El Salvador remained strained up to 1980 when the peace treaty has been signed. In 1992 demarcation disputes (United Nations) have been decided by the International court.
In March 1971 national elections on which by the president has been selected Ramon Ernesto Krus, the leader of the National consignment have taken place. However in 1972 Lopez Areljano has returned itself the power, having carried out bloodless revolution and having suspended congress activity. By then in the country peasants' revolts again have flashed. Lopez has reinstated realisation of agrarian reforms, having distributed between landless peasants crown lands and having allowed settling of the empty private earths. Consequences of catastrophic hurricane have hard affected position of peasants "Fifi" which has fallen upon Honduras in September 1974, has carried away 8000 lives and has hurt almost 60 % of farmlands. Lopez has published the law on the new agrarian reform directed on creation of country co-operative societies. However its mode has acquired many opponents; On the one hand, against it the land owners dissatisfied with an agrarian reform, and with other – the young army officers anxious by have been adjusted that the money allocated for liquidation of consequences of hurricane, has been pirated by the maximum government officials. The last drop was the proof of the fact of reception by Lopez of a bribe from «JUnajted frut kompani»; after that in April 1975 military men have discharged it of the power, and its place was taken by colonel Juan Alberto Melgar Castro.
At Melgare Castro the army has acted on the party of large land owners, severely having suppressed peasants' revolts; the part of their chiefs has been thrown in prisons. In Melgar Castro's economy aspired to increase a state role in production of bananas: some plantations have been transferred to the possession the states; the government which should supervise and finance activity of national manufacturers has been besides, created. Proceeding corruption and rivalry between various groupings of military men have led to that in 1978 Melgar Castros has been discharged of the power by military junta in which head there was general Polikarpo Grazed Garsija. In 1980 elections in the Legislative Assembly have taken place, however any consignment has not won the majority, and the Pass remained on a post of the president. On presidential elections 1981 the candidate of Liberal party Roberto Suaso Cordoba has won. In 1985 it other liberal, José Askona who have won on following elections over the candidate from the National consignment by Raphael Kalehasom (though results of a counting of votes raised some doubts) has replaced. However on following presidential elections victory Kalehasa, the typed 51 % of voices, was indisputable. Thus, though in the country nominally there was a civil government, military men saved the power in the hands.
To 1993 over 70 % of the population lived below official level of poverty. On presidential elections in November 1993 victory was gained by the candidate of liberals Carlos Roberto Rejna, promised to create the National board of economic planning, to increase public expenditures and to carry on new negotiations with the international financial organisations for payment of the external bond debt, the exceeded 3,5 billion dollars, to combat corruption, and also to punish guilty of infringement of rights of the person. At the same time he has declared intention to continue liberal economic policy of predecessor Kalehasa. The American Indian organisations of the country boycotted elections, requiring granting of the rights by it on the earth.
The board of the president Rhines has disappointed hopes of the population of Honduras. Though he aspired to avoid measures on reduction of the State expenditure. In October 1994 it had to pass the decision on continuation of the structural stabilisation begun in 1990 programs through parliament. Thereby the government nevertheless has fulfilled an IMF request then the new loan by the general complexity in 600 million dollars In April 1995 has been granted to the country, despite resistance of an army management, parliament has voted for cancellation of an obligatory national service. Military men accused of heavy infringements of rights of the person, including in support of "death squadrons» and the organisation of abduction of 184 left politicians in 1979–1984. Special management under human rights has been created. In July 1995 against 10 officers the investigation on charge in abductions and tortures was began. Many have been compelled to run from the country.
In November 1997 liberal Flores Fakusse is selected by the president, having received 53 % of voices, the candidate of the National consignment the Hole de Melgar has typed about 43 %. The new president continued a policy of the predecessor. In January 1999 National assembly has approved the amendment to the constitution which subordinated armed forces to the president; the post of the chairman of armed forces and a military High council from 54 members have been liquidated. The civilian for the first time has been nominated to a post of the Minister of Defence. In July of the same year the president has dismissed the deputy minister and the chief of the Joint Staff for disobedience to the new minister. However repressive bodies still operated frequently independently. So, in October 1999 police has severely dispersed the demonstration of 6 thousand Indians allowed by the president, and the head of the state has disposed to spend incident investigation. Aboriginals protested against the constitutional amendment allowing to foreigners to purchase the earth at coast of the country.
Relations of Honduras from the next Nicaragua from which there was a dispute of the sovereignty on a coastal zone have in the late nineties become aggravated. In November 1999 National assembly has terminated agreement 1986 with Colombia about marine border. This decision had appeared the marine territory by the area in 130 thousand square kilometres is mentioned also. Both countries have accused one another of concentration of armies on border; Nicaragua has entered additional duties on gondurasskie the goods and has made the complaint in the International court in the Hague. The parties at intermediary of the Organization of the American states in 2000 parties have made the decision on tap of armies. Nevertheless, in the course of the year firing on border some times flashed.
In connection with destructive consequences of hurricanes in 1998–1999 Honduras three-year delay in external bond debt payment has been granted, and also the help at a rate of 4 billion dollars a Year later after accident is promised, the industry and agriculture have not been restored yet. The situation was aggravated with a heavy drought. The government of the country and the United Nations have asked about granting to Honduras food aid.
On general election 2001 victory was gained by an oppositional National consignment. Its candidate Rikardo Maduro who has typed 52,2 % of voices became the president.
