Antonio López de Santa Anna, Mexican general and politician, 8th President of Mexico (d. 1876)
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈtonjo ˈlopez ðe ˌsan'taːna]; 21 February 1794 – 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 of Mexico often refer to it as the "Age of Santa Anna". He has been called "the Man of Destiny" "he was a quintessential caudillo [strongman]". Although initially in the post-independence period he identified as a federalist and participated in a coup that ousted the conservatives in 1833, he became increasingly conservative. Elected President in 1833, López de Santa Anna declined to serve and retired to his home state and power base of Veracruz, a pattern that was to repeat itself until his ouster in 1855.López de Santa Anna's military and political career featured a series of reversals. He at first opposed Mexican independence from Spain, but then fought in support of it. He backed the monarchy of First 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 López de 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."López de Santa Anna, an enigmatic, patriotic, and controversial figure, wielded great power and influence in Mexico during the turbulent 40 years of his political career. He led as general at crucial points and served multiple non-consecutive presidential terms over a period of 22 years. 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.
Perceived as a hero by his troops, López de Santa Anna sought glory for himself and for his army and independence for Mexico. He repeatedly rebuilt his reputation after major losses. Yet historians and many Mexicans 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 continuing with the Mexican Cession of 1848 following Mexico's loss to the United States in the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848. He was also a general in the Pastry War, which cost him his left leg. 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 López de Santa Anna who denied Polk's dream of a short war." After the debacle of the war, a fragile coalition of conservatives brought him back to power in Mexico after foreign exile. He was granted extraordinary powers as military dictator. In 1853 he sold to the U.S. a part of Mexican territory. The death of his major advisor Lucas Alamán removed an important influence on López de Santa Anna in the presidency. Overthrown by the liberal Revolution of Ayutla in 1855, he lived most of his later years in exile and was no longer a factor in Mexican politics.