Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Antonio López de Santa Anna was a Mexican politician and military leader who was President of Mexico 11 times from 1833 to 1855. He was a controversial and pivotal figure in Mexican politics during the 19th century, to the point that he has been called an "uncrowned monarch", and historians often refer to the three decades after Mexican independence as the "Age of Santa Anna". He fought on both sides of nearly every issue of the day. He supported the Mexican War of Independence, but later helped overthrow the first emperor, Agustín de Iturbide. He fought against Spain's attempt to reconquer Mexico, and became known as the Hero of Tampico. He opposed the liberal reforms of the Constitution of 1824, and established a centralized state. He led the Mexican forces during the Texas Revolution, and was captured by the Texans at the Battle of San Jacinto. He later supported the recognition of Texas' independence in exchange for his freedom. He also fought in the Pastry War against France, and the Mexican-American War against the United States, losing half of Mexico's territory in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. He was exiled several times, but always returned to power by exploiting the political divisions of the country. He was also known for his extravagant lifestyle, his numerous marriages and affairs, and his fondness for his prosthetic leg, which he lost in the Pastry War. He died in poverty and obscurity in 1876, after unsuccessfully trying to regain power during the French intervention and the Second Mexican Empire. He is regarded by many historians as a traitor, a tyrant, and a caudillo, while others see him as a patriot, a hero, and a statesman.