Santa Anna is one of the foremost figures in Mexico’s national history. His long life spanning eighty years was filled with important events and persons who influenced the history of Mexico for nearly a half of a century. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was born on February 21, 1794, in the province of Vera Cruz in eastern New Spain, now modern day Mexico.1 The last decade of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth century was full of chaos and dynamic changes in the relationship between Spain and its colonies. During the independence movements from 1810 to 1824, many colonies revolted against the mother country. These uprisings in Spain’s colonies aided Napoleon’s invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. Santa Anna was born into this era of chaos, revolution, and almost continual warfare.2
Santa Anna intermittently became the president of Mexico. He headed the nation on eleven occasions. It is important to understand his transition from the army to the presidency. Santa Anna developed an early interest in the military life. His keen interest in the military can be easily seen in his writings from one of his early journals; he wrote in his journal thoughts he had as a child, that the army was for him “the glorious carrier of arms, feeling in a true vocation.”3 His long journey in serving his nation began at the age of sixteen, on June 9, 1810, when he joined the Spanish army. He started as an infantry soldier, and transferred to the cavalry unit eventually. The cavalry units required more experienced and skilled soldiers. His commanders could easily see his talent for warfare and strategy. After a year of training, his first military mission took place in 1811, against rebels in Nuevo Santander. Santa Anna’s first direct action was capturing and executing the bandit leader. His commanders applauded him for his courageous action. Moreover, his most distinguished activity during his early military life occurred on May 10, 1812; while fighting with insurgents, he fought ferociously and his commander lauded Santa Anna’s courageousness and called him “dignified.”4 During his battles with rebels, he suffered several wounds, specifically a severe wound on his left arm. However, his wounds did not stop him. Santa Anna fought against rebels throughout his career in the military. His service in the army was even recognized by the Spanish King, and he was promoted to second-lieutenant.5 Young Santa Anna was being promoted rapidly. In a short amount of time, he became a captain. To the experienced eye, his heroism and sagacious leadership made him a promising candidate for the General position in the Army.
Santa Anna gained much prestige in 1829 when he fought against Spain’s attempt to reconquer Mexico. During this battle, he defeated the 2,700 Spanish soldiers under command of General Barradas. After this victory, Santa Anna became known as the Hero of Tampico. This glory significantly helped him to become the President in 1831. His turbulent political life started after these promotions in the army, in which he intermittently came to power eleven times.
Santa Anna became one of the foremost figures in Mexico’s history through his courage in the military and the feeling of serving for his nation.
- Oakah Jones, Santa Anna (New York, Twayne Publishers 1968), 67. ↵
- Jones, Santa Anna, 67. ↵
- Jones, Santa Anna, 49. ↵
- Wilfrid Hardy Callcott, Santa Anna: The Story of an Enigma Who Once Was Mexico (University of Oklahoma Press, 1936), 365. ↵
- Skipper Steely, Santa Anna: prisoner of war in Texas (Wright Press, 1986), 73. ↵
42 comments
Yesenia Cardenas
I enjoyed reading this article. It amazes me how successful Santa Anna was at directing an army. He was so good that even the Spanish King recognized him. Not something that happens everyday.
Salvador Rodriguez Gomez
Before reading your article I had no idea who this guy was but now I know who he is and how he helped Mexico fight against Spain. He must have been a very great and intellectual general if he eventually became president of Mexico for a period of time and led Mexico so much.
Nicolas McKay
This was truly an amazing article. Having gone on the Illinois trip, I can say this was a beautiful recording of Santa Ana’s life. All of my knowledge of Santa Ana takes place after he had already joined the military, so to see him prior to joining and hear his motivation behind his actions is truly incredible.
Maalik Stansbury
I like that you didn’t take time and just dove right into the subject. Great job with the article. I was bringing factual information and helping others learn more about teh relation of the alamo as well. I really do also enjoy by how descriptive you were and the way you wrote it.
Kassandra Guillen
Interesting article! You gave a lot of descriptive facts! I have heard about Santa Anna when the Alamo is being discussed, but had not been given as much information as I did with this article. I was also unaware that he lead his country for eleven years. Thank you for sharing with us a man that is deserving of our recognition for being such a great leader.
Erik Rodriguez
Great article! I never knew Santa Anna wrote a journal about his feelings and thoughts as a young child! It must’ve been hectic growing up, especially with all the things he had in mind of accomplishing. He definitely did a lot in the military, and left a (good or bad) legacy never to be forgotten.
Overall, very informative and detailed, really captured his different phases of life.
Keep up the good work!
Aurora Torres
I’ve heard of Santa Ana, but not so much in detail like you wrote. Of course I’ve heard of him because of the Alamo…..but not so mush about his history. From your article I learned that he loved his country very much and fought for it a great deal but never knew he was leader for eleven years. Also, doesn’t mention that he was evil as a lot of people talk about. Either way Santa Ana, sure did pay for a lot his wrong doing in the end. Great article.
Desmond Bonsignore
Very interesting article great job.The thing that stood out to me the most was how descriptive your facts were. It’s great how you stressed that he was not simply handed his power but instead had to work for many years to reach the point that he did. Very well written and detailed. Good job!
Mariana Sandoval
I think you picked an interesting stand point with deciding to focus on the early life of Santa Anna rather than focusing primarily on his presidency/tyranny (whatever you want to call it). As a student that grew up in Texas, the only occasions that I learned about Santa Anna in school were to discuss his role in the Battle of the Alamo- and he was not painted in a pretty light. While he is not well-like by a lot of people, you kept those opinions out of it an presented his early life and career in a matter-of-fact manner which was beneficial in learning more about him in general.
Aaron Jaramillo
Fascinating article on General Santa Anna. It was delightful to learn additional information on him as many of us local San Antonian’s primary know him for his part in the battle at the Alamo. It was interesting to read that he worked his way up the ranks of the Mexican military and that it was that helped him become president of Mexico. I was unaware that he served as Mexico’s president eleven times. Its a bit puzzling that he had a turbulent political life having served as president so many times.