Costa Rica’s History

Costa Rican’s history began with Indians first populating what is now known as Costa Rica. The Carib, Chorotega, and Nahau Indians arrived in the 1400’s. In the early 1500’s Spanish explorers, including Christopher Columbus, came to Costa Rica. Explorers heard rumors that gold and other precious metals were mined in the region. Thus, Spaniards named the region Costa Rica, which means “rich coast.” Although Spaniards found no mineral wealth, they remained in Costa Rica to become farmers in the Central Highlands.

Costa Rican Governor Juan Vasques de Coronado founded the first settlement at Cartago in 1564. The Indians who first populated Costa Rica were threatened of becoming slaves by the Spaniards. But, the Indian Tribes fought intently to stay free in Costa Rica.

Up until 1821 Costa Rica remained a Spanish Colony. That same year, both Costa Rica and Spain’s other Central American colonies freed themselves from Spanish rule. The following year, Costa Rica joined the Mexican Empire but withdrew from Mexico to form the United Provinces of Central America. Then, in 1838 this union started to collapse, and Costa Rica declared independency.

The dictatorship of President Braulio Carrillo was overthrown by Francisco Morazan in 1842 who then became Costa Rica’s President. Morazan was then killed by his enemies 5 months after he took office. Up until 1849, weak leaders governed Costa Rica. Then, Juan Rafael Mora became President and governed Costa Rica for 10 years. Mora was able to establish Costa Rica’s first street-lighting system, a national bank, and opened many public schools.

Progress towards a democracy was made after 1889 in Costa Rica. General Tomas Guardia was Costa Rica’s first leader who encouraged the cultivation and exportation of coffee. Guardia’s government also improved the Costa Rica’s public school system, as well as building a railroad from San Jose to Limon.

In 1948 the National Assembly declared the results of the Presidential Election of Otilio Ulate as illegal. A revolt in support of Ulate was led by Colonel Jose Figueres, as he thought this was a threat of Communist takeover. Figueres then took office as an interim President and reorganized Costa Rica’s Government. Figueres placed banks under national control and replaced Costa Rica’s army with a Civil Guard. Ulate was soon inaugurated as Costa Rica’s President.

Figueres then founded Costa Rica’s National Liberation Party (NLP) and was elected to the Presidency in 1953. Figueres raised Costa Ricans minimum wage, expanded public school systems and raised taxes on imports.

Figueres again became Costa Rica’s President in 1970 and retired in 1974. Since that time, Costa Rica has continued to have democratic governments. And, most Costa Rican Presidents have remained traditionally neutral in international affairs while establishing good relationships with many countries, including the United States.