The idea of annexation to Mexico began to grow popular. Iturbide, who had in the meantime made himself Emperor of Mexico, sent messengers to Gainza, who espoused that cause and began to persecute those opposed to that idea. Republicans were insulted and even conversations on the street on political subjects were prohibited. The _junta_ decreed annexation on the 5th of January, 1822, and the people were given all the rights of Mexican citizens. This union only lasted for about fifteen months and was dissolved soon after the fall of the Emperor Iturbide. The only tangible results of the union were internal strife and heavy taxes.
In 1823 a congress of the states of Central America was summoned to meet in Guatemala City. This congress assembled in June as the Asamblea Nacional Constituyente and remained in session nearly two years. It founded the United Provinces of Central America, but difficulties soon set in between the different provinces. A constitution was framed and promulgated in 1825 for which the constitution of the United States was taken as a model. Arcé was proclaimed the first president in the same year and was soon after recognized by most of the leading powers. Conflicts arose very soon between the federal and local authorities in Guatemala City, which city had been made the capital of the confederation. The vice-president, Flores, retired to Quezaltenango, where he was attacked by an infuriated mob of natives on the 13th of October, 1826. He sought refuge in the pulpit of the parish church from whence he was dragged by a mob of women and literally torn to pieces. The Indians had been aroused by a Spanish priest who attributed a pestilence to him. A reign of religious fanaticism soon followed and troops from San Salvador invaded Guatemala to restore order. Convents and monasteries were suppressed by the government, but Arcé found himself unable to preserve order, and resigned the presidency.
In 1799, there was born in Honduras a child named Francisco Morazan, who was destined to be the greatest figure in this Central American Confederation. His father was a Frenchman and his mother a native Creole woman of that country. We know little of his youth except that he managed to acquire a fair education for that age. He grew up to be a man of impetuous but not sanguinary temperament, and was possessed of great decision and perseverance. His bearing was free and manly; his manner was frank and open; his domestic life was exemplary. After holding several minor offices in Honduras he became secretary-general of that province, then Senator and _jefe_, or governor, but his bent was that of a warrior. Revolution broke out at La Antigua, in Guatemala, and this province then placed itself under the protection and leadership of General Morazan, who had an army of about two thousand men, and who had espoused the cause of the malcontents. With this small force Morazan besieged Guatemala City, the capital of the federation, and the city soon capitulated. General Morazan thereupon assumed the power of state and used much vigour, but was just. He afterwards wrote, “No one was put to death or had money exacted from him.” This was an almost unheard of leniency in Central America, but he had no cause to regret this magnanimity, even though there was much blood to avenge and there were many grievances to punish.