SANTA ANNA, DoN ANTONIO LOPEZ DE, ex-President of Mexico, was born in Jalapa, in 1798. While a mere youth he entered the Spanish army, and became lieut.col. in 1821. When Mexico determined to throw off the Spanish yoke, Santa Anna greatly distinguished himself at the head of the Mexican troops. The Spanish royalists were expelled from Vera Cruz, and lie was elected governor of the city and province. Itur bide had established an imperial rule over Mexico (q. v.), but his tyranny having worked his downfall, Santa Anna proclaimed in 1822 a Mexican republic, which was recognized by every foreign state except Spain. He was incessantly engaged in quelling the civil wars kindled by the aristocratic and democratic factions. In 1829 lie engaged and put to flight a division of Spanish troops which invaded Mexico by way of Tampico, with the view of again bringing Mexico under Spanish rule. The separation of Texas (q.v.) from the Mexican union was vigorously but unavailingly opposed by Santa Anna. In 1837 differences arose with France, and a division of French troops landed at Vera Cruz. They were gallantly engaged by Santa Anna, who drove a portion of them into the sea at the point of the bayonet. In this action he received a bullet in the leg, which rendered the amputation of the limb necessary. In 1838 the French took Vera Cruz, and obtained the settlement of their differences. In 1847 war having been declared by Mexico against the United States, Santa Anna took the command of the Mexican forces. He offered a gallant-but ineffectual resistance to the troops of generals Scott and Taylor. The city of Mexico having been stormed and taken by the Americans under gen. Scott, the war was at an end, and Santa Anna retired from Mexico. During 30 years he had disputed the direction of affairs with Bustamente, Herrera, Cevallos, and other chiefs of parties, being at one time dictator, and at another disgraced and an exile. In 1853
Mexico, torn by civil dissensions, and falling into anarchy, again recalled Santa Anna. He declared himself president for life, and a civil war was the immediate result. In 1855 he was driven from the country. During the government of Juarez, 1858-63, Santa Anna was looked up to as their chief and future ruler by an influential party in Mexico. On the establishment of a hereditary monarchy under Maximilian of Austria as emperor, Santa Anna. returned to Mexico, having first signed an act of adhesion to the empire. He soon, however, began to intrigue for his own return tb power, issuing addresses to the people as emperor, and was' ordered to leave the country. After some residence in the United States, Santa Anna planned an expedition against Juarez; but ere a binding at Vera Cruz had been effected, Santa Anna, with his secretary, was taken prisoner. He was condemned to death, but pardoned by Juarez, on condition of his leaving Mexico. He afterward resided on Staten island, N. Y., where he spent his time cock fighting and playing at three-card monte. On the death of Juarez in 1875 he returned to Mexico, where he (lied in 1876. He was regarded by his countrymen as their ablest general, and lie was more successful than any other Mexican ruler in quelling the miser able civil wars, though he sometimes showed unjustifiable cruelty. He was also accused of being greedy of wealth, and unscrupulous in the means of obtaining it. He received the grand cross of Charles III. of Spain, and the grand cross of the red eagle of Prussia.