Antonio de Lopez de Santa Anna Perez de Lebron was a great man. He was strong, humble, smart, and clever. But he was also a weak, arrogant, stupid, foolish, and these are what most people remember about him. That is not how he really was. In the following paragraphs I will tell about the life and times of Santa Anna, and of his mistakes and achievements, I will tell of the age of Santa Anna.

On February 21, 1794, Mexico received a great leader, who would affect her dramatic history to the fullest extent. His parents were Antonio Lafey de Santa Anna, and Manuela Perez de Labron. He was born a Crillo and raised by his parents with the best education they could afford. His father was probably a merchant, but that us uncertain. I reality Santa Anna had a short childhood, for in June of 1810, at only sixteen he joined the army. He was highly liked by his superior officers (and the ladies), who gave him much respect and many rewards (he had six medals by 1821!). He was a supporter of Itrubide, who he help bring to power and threw this he became a bit more politically oriented, which led to many great things.

The first was Santa Anna helped bring to end the monarchy created by Itrubide and overthrew him, bring forth the Republic of Mexico, in 1823. He took no part in the political part of the new republic, rather he took a major role in the military aspect of the new republic. In 1828 Vincente Guerrero became president of Mexico, Guerrero had helped Santa Anna overthrow Itrubide and soon gave him the title of General of Division (the highest position in the Mexican army) and Governor of Veracruz. In 1829 Spain was trying to invade Mexico threw Veracruz. So Santa Anna took control and attacked the Spanish forces and won. He was soon know throughout Mexico as a hero and was a legend.

In 1830 Santa Anna made the current president resign and was quickly elected president of Mexico. In office he had his Vice President Gomez Farias do most of his political work (he even had to do the inauguration ceremony for him), while he stayed at his Hacienda with his wife Dona Ines Garcia. During a plague in Mexico City in 1834, Santa Anna used the weakened state of government to his advantage. He got rid of the current congress and Vice President and soon started to rule as a dictator in. Santa Anna during this time used the tactics if his idol Napoleon to rule. The congress he appointed soon grew weary of his work and as soon as Santa Anna heard this he appointed a Interim President and went to his hacienda to wait for the government to collapse.

It soon did. Texas, Mexico's attempt to colonize the northern regions of it's country's territorial boundaries, was becoming rebellious and Santa Anna was soon called in to suppress this uprising. Still acting as president (being re-elected several times), he attacked the settlers, first at the Alamo in 1835(winning), then at Golaid (also winning). Then he faced of with Sam Houston (the leader of the rebels) at the Battle of Jacinto on April 21, 1836, and was attacked at night. Santa Anna nearly escaped the massacre but his horse had died just as he was breaking free. After nearly a month of negotiations with U.S. president Jackson he was set free losing Texas. Soon after his return he was forced into retirement. But in 1838 he was brought out of retirement to fight against the French in the "Pastry War". It was called that because of the fact that during riots three years earlier as French pastry shop had been destroyed, and France demanded 60,000 pesos for repairs. That war was lost, as well as Santa Anna's left leg. The French were paid their money and were soon forgotten. Even though he had lost the battle Santa Anna was hailed as a hero and once again given dictatorial powers over Mexico. But once again retired. Soon his wife died and he was able to remarry to Dona Dolores Tosta on October 3, 1844. But even as this occurred allegations of misappropriation of 60 mil. Pesos aroused and in 1845 Santa Anna was exiled to Venezuela but he fled to Cuba and lived there for one year. Then he was once again summoned for his military services due to the war against the U.S.. It was at this time he made his greatest and most popular blunder. After defeating General Taylor of the U.S. at Satillo, he went back to Mexico City and claim victory, rather than keep his position and guard Mexico. U.S. General Scott attacked Veracruz totally defeating the unprepared Mexican army. After Mexico City was overthrown and the Gadsden Purchased was completed, Santa Anna was charged with treason and despised by his fellow Mexicans. He soon fled to Jamaica but then was needed to dictate Mexico again and in to years was once again exiled to the Caribbean. In 1874 he was allowed back only to have lost all that he had owned and to live in Mexico City with his brother-in-law. On June 21, 1876 he died, in shame and without a penny to his name. He had won countless battles and served eleven terms as president.