Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de
Lebrón (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈtonjo ˈlopes ðe sant(a)ˈanna];
21 February 1794 â€" 21 June 1876), usually known as Santa Anna or
López de Santa Anna, was a Mexican politician and general. His
influence on post-independence Mexican politics and government in the
first half of the nineteenth century is such 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's military and political career was a
series of reversals. He first opposed Mexican independence from Spain,
but then fought in support of it. He backed the monarchy of Mexican
Empire, then revolted against the emperor. He "represents the
stereotypical caudillo in Mexican history". Lucas Alamán writes 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 his
turbulent 40-year career. He led as general at crucial points and
served 12 non-consecutive presidential terms over a period of 22
years.[a] In the periods 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 Mexicanâ€"American War. His leadership in the
Mexican-American War and his willingness to fight to the bitter end
prolonged the war. "More than any other single person it was Santa
Anna who denied Polk's dream of a short war." After the debacle of the
war, he returned to the presidency and in 1853 sold Mexican territory
to the U.S. He was overthrown by the liberal Revolution of Ayutla in
1855 and lived most of his later years in exile.Antonio de Padua
María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón was born in
Xalapa, Veracruz, Nueva España (New Spain), on 21 February 1794. He
was from a respected Spanish family. He was named for his father,
Licenciado Antonio López de Santa Anna (b. 1761), a university
graduate and a lawyer; his mother was Manuela Pérez de Lebrón (d.
1814). The family belonged to the racially elite criollo group of
American-born Spaniards, although the family was not wealthy but
rather middle-class. The men held second-rank royal and clerical
positions. The family did prosper in Veracruz, where the merchant
class dominated politics. Santa Anna's paternal uncle à ngel López de
Santa Anna was a public clerk (escribano) in Veracruz and became
aggrieved when the town council of Veracruz prevented him from moving
to Mexico City to advance his career. Since the late 18th-century
Bourbon Reforms, the crown had favored peninsular-born Spaniards over
American-born, so that young Santa Anna's family was affected by the
growing disgruntlement of creoles whose upward mobility was thwarted.
Santa Anna's other paternal uncle, José, was a priest, notorious for
his corrupt practices and sexual appetite, who fell afoul of the
Mexican Inquisition. His mother favored her son's choice of a military
career over his father's choice for him, supporting his desire to join
the royal army, rather than be a shopkeeper. His mother's friendly
relationship with the intendant (governor) of Veracruz secured Santa
Anna's military appointment although he was underage. His parents'
marriage produced seven children, four sisters and two brothers, and
Santa Anna was close to his sister Francisca and brother Manuel, who
also joined the royal army. Antonio López de Santa Anna Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter