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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Santa Anna Biography SANTA ANNA, or ANA, Antonio López de (1795–1876). A Mexican general and politician, born at Jalapa. Entering the army at the age of 15, he first attracted attention in 1821 as an adherent of Itúrbide (q.v.) in the events leading up to the overthrow of the Spanish power. In 1822 he became commandant of Vera Cruz, but, on being accused of harboring designs inimical to the government, turned against Itúrbide in December of the same year and headed a rebellion which took shape as the Plan of Casa Mata and gained support so rapidly that Itúrbide hastened to anticipate overthrow by resigning. In 1828 Santa Anna took the field as a partisan of Guerrero, whom he aided in his successful attempt to supplant Pedraza as President. He became, in the following year, Minister of War and commander in chief, and in August and September achieved distinction by expelling from the country a Spanish army of invasion, thus ending the last attempt on the part of Spain to reëstablish its authority in Mexico. Personal ambition led him to rise in insurrection against both Guerrero and Guerrero's successor, Bustamente, after whose enforced resignation in 1832, Pedraza, now an ally of Santa Anna, held the chief power for some time. In February, 1833, Santa Anna was chosen President as the chief of the Federalist party, whose aim was to establish a centralized government in Mexico. Gómez Farías was chosen Vice President, and to him Santa Anna left the cares of office and the odium of a generally unpopular policy, while he himself retired to his hacienda, whence, however, he kept a close watch on the progress of events. From federalism Santa Anna moved backward towards reaction and monarchism and entered into close relations with the Clericals. This led to republican insurrections, the most formidable of which was suppressed with severity by Santa Anna in 1835. The Texas colonists having undertaken to organize a government of their own, Santa Anna set out to reduce them to obedience. In February, 1836, he attacked San Antonio, and on March 6 captured the Alamo (q.v.). On April 21, however, General Houston, who was being pursued by Santa Anna, suddenly turned and defeated the Mexican army at San Jacinto (q.v.). Santa Anna was captured, and after promising to exert his influence for obtaining the independence of Texas was allowed to go to the United States, whence he returned in 1837 to Mexico. In November, 1838, he defended Vera Cruz against a French fleet, and, from the loss of a leg in the combat, derived for a time enormous popularity. In the disordered condition of the country many turned to him for a strong leader, and in October, 1841, he became President with dictatorial powers. He ruled entirely in the interests of the Federalist party till June, 1844, when he was elected Constitutional President. Disaffection was rife, however, and in November an insurrection headed by Paredes led to his overthrow. He was taken prisoner early in 1845 and banished. The threatened war with the United States probably hastened his recall in July, 1846; in December he was made Provisional President, and soon after he took the field against the American forces. On Feb. 22-23, 1847, he was defeated by General Taylor at Buena Vista (q.v.). This was followed by his defeat at the hands of General Scott at Cerro Gordo (q.v.) on April 18. After the occupation of the city of Mexico by the American army Santa Anna resigned the presidency, made an attempt to recapture Pueblo, and, failing, sailed for Jamaica, whence he went to Venezuela. In 1853 he was recalled and elected President for one year. After a series of intolerable and despotic acts he issued a decree (December, 1853), declaring himself President for life, with the title of Serene Highness. The inevitable rebellion broke out in March 1854, and after 15 months' campaigning in the Western States, Santa Anna realized the hopelessness of his position and in August 1855, sailed from Vera Cruz for Cuba. He lived for some time in Venezuela and St. Thomas, and in 1864, during the French invasion, returned to Mexico, where he attempted to play a part in affairs, but was compelled by Bazaine to leave the country. Still striving for political power, he reappeared at Vera Cruz in 1867, but was made prisoner and once more sent into exile. He lived subsequently in the United States, returned to Mexico after the death of Juárez, and died in the city of Mexico, June 20, 1876, poor and neglected. An able soldier and a master of intrigue, with a remarkable capacity for anticipating and manipulating public opinion, Santa Anna enjoyed a longer period of public life than any of his contemporaries in the political vicissitudes of nineteenth-century Mexico. None of the general histories of Mexico contain an adequate treatment of this perplexing personality; R. A. Wilson, Mexico (New York, 1856), gives a useful contemporary account of the man at the height of his career. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XX (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 447. |