Antonio López de Santa Anna

Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794-1876), Mexican general and dictator, who dominated Mexican politics for a quarter of a century.

Santa Anna was born in Jalapa Enríquez and joined the army in his midteens. In 1821 he took part in the revolt against the Spaniards as a supporter of Agustín de Iturbide but soon turned against him and helped to establish the republic in 1823. Six years later he led the forces that thwarted the Spanish in recapturing Mexico, and in 1833 he was elected president. However, he did not serve. Instead, he overthrew the government and established himself as dictator in 1834. He commanded the Mexican army that stormed The Alamo during the Texas Revolution of 1835 and 1836 and killed all 187 defenders, but he was shortly afterward defeated and captured by Sam Houston's Texans. When he returned to Mexico, he was removed from power and forced into retirement until 1838. During that year he commanded the forces that repulsed the French at Veracruz; losing a leg in the fighting, he was hailed as a hero, and by 1841 he was ensconced as president with dictatorial powers. Overthrown in 1845, he was recalled the following year to lead the army against the United States in the Mexican War. Following the fall of Mexico City in 1847, he fled to Jamaica, but in 1853 he was again recalled and once more established himself as a dictator. His harsh administration led to his overthrow two years later at which time he went into a prolonged exile in the Caribbean. He was finally allowed to return to Mexico in 1874 and died in Mexico City, old and penniless.