Santa Anna

Regarded as the Napoleon of the West, Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón, was one of the most brutal, untrustworthy, charismatic and resilient leaders of his time.

Known throughout history as Santa Anna, he was born on February 21, 1794 in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and died in Mexico City on June 21, 1876.

He acted as President of Mexico on numerous occasions, ruling as an egocentric dictator. He was better skilled at leading an army and going fearlessly into battle than governing a nation. His egotistic command would eventually lead to his downfall.

The needless slaughter of Texian soldiers at the Alamo and Goliad incited a fearless revenge in all Texians.

A timeline of the main events in his life can be found here.