Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna President of Mexico Date of Birth: 21.02.1794 Country: Mexico

Biography of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was a Mexican military, government, and political figure, as well as a general. He was born on April 1, 1833, in Xalapa, New Spain. Santa Anna came from a respected middle-class family, with his father, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, being a delegate in the royal army from the province of Veracruz.

At the age of 16, Santa Anna began his military service under the command of Joaquin de Arredondo, fighting on the side of Spain against rebels in the Mexican provinces during the Mexican War of Independence. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning promotions and awards for his bravery. Santa Anna served as a lieutenant and captain, suppressing indigenous uprisings and maintaining order in Mexico.

In 1821, Santa Anna switched sides and pledged his loyalty to Emperor Agustin de Iturbide, who sought to establish an empire in Mexico. However, Santa Anna's allegiance to Iturbide was short-lived, and he joined the military leaders who overthrew the emperor in 1823, resulting in the declaration of the Mexican Republic. Santa Anna received significant support from the first president of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria.

Throughout his career, Santa Anna constantly sought alliances with influential and powerful individuals, always positioning himself on the side of the victor. He held various positions, including governor of Yucatan and played a significant role in Mexican politics.

Santa Anna's rise to power was marked by constant changes in the country's leadership, with presidents changing 36 times between 1833 and 1855. Notably, Santa Anna held the presidency on eleven different occasions, serving as the 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 35th, 37th, and 45th president of Mexico.

Despite his military genius, Santa Anna's presidency brought chaos to the country. His fifth presidency, in particular, left the state treasury empty, plunging Mexico into a period of extreme hardship. However, Santa Anna's victory over the French army in the Battle of Veracruz in 1838 earned him immense popularity and the titles "The Victor of Tampico" and "The Savior of the Motherland." During the battle, he lost a part of his left leg, which was ceremonially buried in Mexico City in 1842.

However, Santa Anna also suffered defeats, including the devastating loss in the war against the United States from 1846 to 1848. In 1853, he was finally overthrown by the Mexican people after selling millions of acres of Mexican land on the northern border to the United States for a meager sum. This transaction, known as the "Gadsden Purchase," marked the end of Santa Anna's political career.

After his exile, Santa Anna lived in seclusion on his estate and experienced declining health. By 1874, he was crippled and nearly blind due to cataracts. On June 21, 1876, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna died in Mexico City, in poverty and obscurity.