Santa Anna was born in Jalapa, in the province of Veracruz on February 21, 1795.
At age 16, he began his military career fighting for the Spanish, but switched sides to.
support Augustin de Iturbine as the main man of an independent Mexico. As a young.
military officer, he supported Emperor Agustin de Iturbide, and at one time courted the.
emperor's sister. He later rebelled against the government and gained support. By 1833,.
he was elected to president of Mexico by a democratic election. He then thought that.
Mexico was not ready for democracy and pronounced himself dictator. .
In 1835, Texas, which was then a part of Mexico, revolted against the Mexican.
government. The population of Texas included many settlers from the United States, and.
cultural and legal differences between Mexicans and the settlers had led many Texans to.
oppose Mexican rule. Santa Anna rushed north to put down the revolt. He attacked San.
Antonio and stormed the Alamo in March 1836, with an army that outnumbered the.
Texans. Santa Anna's troops captured the Alamo, and then met the main Texas army.
under General Sam Houston at San Jacinto. Santa Anna's army was captured, and he was.
taken prisoner. The Texans forced Santa Anna to sign a treaty acknowledging the.
independence of Texas. But the treaty was rejected in Mexico City, and Santa Anna was.
removed from power.
In 1838, the French attacked Veracruz. From 1841 to 1844, he was president of.
Mexico again. In 1844, there was a revolt against him, and he fled to Jamaica. War broke.
out with the United States in 1846. Santa Anna returned to Mexico and took command of.
the army. The American forces defeated him at Buena Vista, at Cerro Gordo, and at.
Chapultepec. After the fall of Mexico City, Santa Anna left Mexico for several years.
In 1853, he returned to Mexico and became president again. He declared himself.
president for life but within two years was again overthrown and exiled. He tried to.
return during the French invasion of Mexico in 1864 but was not allowed to enter the.