Antonio López de Santa Anna, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetAntonio López de Santa Anna
Mexican politician and military
Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
About Antonio López de Santa Anna
- Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón (Spanish pronunciation: [an'tonjo 'lopes ðe sant(a)'anna]; 21 February 1794 – 21 June 1876), often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, was a Mexican politician and general who fought to defend royalist New Spain and then fought for Mexican independence.
- He greatly influenced early Mexican politics and government, and he was an adept soldier and cunning politician who dominated Mexican history in the first half of the nineteenth century to such an extent that historians often refer to it as the "Age of Santa Anna." He was called "the Man of Destiny" who "loomed over his time like a melodramatic colossus, the uncrowned monarch." Santa Anna first opposed the movement for Mexican independence from Spain, but then fought in support of it.
- He was the earliest of the caudillos (military leaders) of modern Mexico, and he "represents the stereotypical caudillo in Mexican history".
- Lucas Alamán wrote that "the history of Mexico since 1822 might accurately be called the history of Santa Anna's revolutions.
- His name plays a major role in all the political events of the country and its destiny has become intertwined with his."Santa Anna was an enigmatic, patriotic, and controversial figure who had great power in Mexico during a turbulent 40-year career.
- He led as general at crucial points and served 12 non-consecutive presidential terms over a period of 22 years.
- In the periods of time when he was not serving as president, he continued to pursue his military career.
- He was a wealthy landowner who built a political base in the port city of Veracruz.
- He was perceived as a hero by his troops, as he sought glory for himself and his army and independence for Mexico.
- He repeatedly rebuilt his reputation after major losses.
- Yet at the same time, historians and many Mexicans also rank him as one of "those who failed the nation." His centralist rhetoric and military failures resulted in Mexico losing half its territory, beginning with the Texas Revolution of 1836 and culminating with the Mexican Cession of 1848 following its loss to the United States in the Mexican–American War.
- His political positions changed frequently in his lifetime; "his opportunistic politics made him a Liberal, Conservative, and uncrowned king." He was overthrown for the final time by the liberal Revolution of Ayutla in 1854 and lived most of his later years in exile.
Read more at Wikipedia
See Also
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