Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón, usually known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, was a Mexican politician and general. Although Santa Anna received no jail sentence as a result of the investigation, she was again ordered to exile him from the country. Santa Anna requested the help of former President José Joaquín de Herrera (1792-185), whom Santa Anna had previously forced to leave office, to negotiate with the United States. Despite Santa Anna's own lack of understanding or real concern about the meaning of the word republic (a democratic form of government in which power is held by the people, rather than an individual ruler), he joined Guerrero and two other leaders, Guadalupe Victoria (1785-184) and Nicolás Bravo (1787-185), in overthrowing Iturbide and declare Mexico a republic.
For the next few decades, Santa Anna often retired in this way, since he was not very interested in the daily work of the government. However, once back in Mexico, Santa Anna took up arms, was appointed president by Congress in December 1846 and, for a time, courageously led his troops before experiencing defeat and exile once again. After the rebellion, the young officer witnessed Arredondo's fierce counterinsurgency policy of mass executions, and historians have speculated that Santa Anna modeled his policy and conduct in the Texas Revolution based on his experience under Arredondo. Through an intercepted letter, Santa Anna learned that in January 1847, Polk had ordered that about half of Taylor's army be transferred to the command of General Winfield Scott (1786-1866; see biographical entry), who would soon launch an invasion of Mexico from the coast of Vera Cruz.
Santa Anna later signed the Treaty of Velasco, which recognized Texas (called the Lone Star Republic) as an independent state and guaranteed the withdrawal of all Mexican troops. After fierce fighting, Santa Anna's army defeated the Spaniards, who finally recognized Mexico's independence. Santa Anna was imprisoned while Mexican officials discussed the possibility of trying him for treason. However, Santa Anna's role must be placed within the broader context of Mexican society during this era.
Santa Anna would serve as interim (temporary) president for a year, after which the country would become a monarchy (governed by a king or queen). Santa Anna thus began her next presidential term in April 1834 at the opposite end of the political spectrum of the former. The journey of nearly 300 miles was exhausting, and Santa Anna lost about five thousand men along the way, both due to illness and desertion. In 1836, after a series of early victories, including the infamous battle at the Alamo, Santa Anna was captured.
Mexicans were hesitant to believe that Santa Anna, who was clearly more skilled in persuasion and pomp than in military tactics, could protect them from the wicked and brutal Yankees.
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