Complex sentence: The modern city was laid out in 1534 by Friar Juan de San Miguel, which played an important role in the War of Independence, and was the capital of Michoacán during the French Intervention.
Split into simpler sentences: The modern city was laid out in 1534 by Friar Juan de San Miguel. It played an important role in the War of Independence, and was the capital of Michoacán during the French Intervention.