During the first millennium, the Maya were one of the most highly developed people in the Americas and built a number of cities in what is now Guatemala. However, these were abandoned during the 9th century and by the time Spanish colonists arrived in the 16th century, many cities were in ruin. The Spanish arrived in 1521 and conquered the territory by feigning alliances with Mayan groups and murdering their rivals, only to then turn on them. The settlers enslaved the remaining Mayans, exploiting all profitable resources from the land.

Guatemala gained independence in 1821, but this largely benefited those of Spanish descent and further subjugated indigenous populations whose land was stolen for sugarcane and tobacco plantations. After gaining independence, a small elite group of families and landowners maintained ultimate control, and Mayan conditions continued to deteriorate.

A philosopher named Juan Jose Arevalo was elected in 1945, disrupting the cycle of dictators. He created Guatemala's social security system, liberal labour laws, a modern public health system, and advocated for Mayan rights. The conservative military attempted 25 coups during Arevalo's six-year presidency.

His successor, Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán, attempted further agrarian reforms. The United States intervened in fear of Communism and orchestrated an invasion by the Guatemalan military, exiled in Honduras. The overthrow was successful, and 30 years of military rule followed.

In 1963, a 33-year civil war broke out between guerrilla fighters and the government. During the violence, hundreds of indigenous communities were destroyed. Rios Montt, a Christian President with close ties to the U.S., ordered a scorched earth policy against Mayans from 1982-1983.

By the conclusion of the civil war in 1996, more than 200,000 had been killed or forcibly disappeared, 80% of whom were from indigenous communities. After a peace accord was signed in 1996, Guatemala held its first democratic elections in 2000.

The country is still ravaged by the effects of the civil war, with high inequality and poverty across the country. On 10 May 2013, Ríos Montt was convicted by the court of genocide and crimes against humanity, and was sentenced to 80 years imprisonment.