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Birth
February 21, 1794 was the day that (Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón) Antonio López de Santa Anna was born. He was born in Xalapa (or Jalapa), Mexico. He was the son of a minor colonial official (also named Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna) and Manuela Pérez de Lebrón (his mom). His family was considered middle class. -
Betrayal
In 1821, for an unknown reason, Santa Anna switched from the Spaniard side of the war, to the Mexican side. He played a big roll and made much damage on both sides. He switched in allegiances from Spanish imperialism to Mexican nationalism. -
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Augustin de Iturbide
Santa Anna supported Augustin de Iturbide and the War For Mexican Independence in 1821. Later in 1823, he assisted a group of people to overthrow Iturbide. The reason for this betrayal is unknown. -
First Wife
From 1825 to 1844 Antonio was married to Inés García, his first wife. She was the first and second lady of Mexico, and was a daughter of a wealthy family. The couple had four children together, one of which died at the age of five. -
Santa Anna's War
In 1829, Santa Anna fought against Spain’s attempt to reconquer Mexico, and “gained much prestige.” Mexico labeled him as the Hero of Tampico. He was known as a brave warrior. He did this after the fact that he switched from a Spaniard to a Mexican. He was had a large impact on both sides of the war. -
President
The serge of glory in 1829 assisted Santa Anna in becoming Mexico’s President in 1833. He was elected by massive popular majority. Antonio’s campaign had been based on a commitment to federalism and restricting the influence of the Catholic Church in political matters. -
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The Alamo
Santa Anna was the Mexican leader of the Alamo battle. This was a bloody and death-filled event, with Santa Anna at the reigns. He was determined to conquer the Texans, and did not care about the cost of his own men. The Texans were outnumbered 20 to 1, and had no chance of survival, but they fought, and all but three lives out of around 600 survived. So many people died, that they had to resort to rivers and burning as a result of the graveyards being filled. -
"Last Leg"
In 1838 In battle against Veracruz Santa Anna lost his leg in the skirmish. This is a picture of Antonio’s “last leg” so to speak. His prosthetic is displayed with his picture next to it at Illinois State Military Museum, Department of Military Affairs, Springfield -
Second Wife
From 1844 to 1876 he was married to María Dolores de Tosta. She was the daughter of Bonifacio Tosta Sánchez-Montaño, a wealthy miner born in Madrid , Spain. She was the second wife of Santa Anna. This marriage ended in 1876, when Antonio died. -
Death
Antonio López de Santa Anna died in Mexico City on June 22nd, 1876. He was buried in a glass coffin in Panteón del Tepeyac Cemetery with full military honors. He died viewed as a hero, and a villain.
