Santa Ana

This report is about one of the many things Santa Anna did. This report is about when Santa Anna became ruler of Mexico? took over the Alamo in Texas? and when he was captured a day after the battle of San Jacinto.

Santa Anna was born in Xalapa? Veracruz? Mexico? on February 21? 1794; he was the son of a respected Spanish colonial family? Antonio López de Santa Anna and Manuela Pérez de Lebrón? who belonged to the criollo middle class? and wealthy enough to send their son to school. His father served for a time as a sub-delegate for the Spanish province of Veracruz? Mexico for the Royal Army. After Santa Anna made it clear that he has no interest in studying and going to school? the young Santa Anna started working for a merchant of Mexico. In June 1810? he was sent to the Fijo de Vera Cruz infantry regiment under the command of Joaquín de Arredondo. Santa Anna spent the next years battling insurgents and policing the Native American tribes of the internal provinces (political divisions of Mexico). Like most criollo officers in the Royalist army? he remained loyal to Spain? and for a number of years and fought against the movement for Mexican independence. He was only at the age of sixteen when he became a cadet. In 1833? General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna came to power in Mexico. Two years later? he threw out the Mexican constitution.

Texans felt that the time had come for action. In this? they had the support of many Tejanos? Mexicans who lived in Texas. Tejanos did not necessarily want independence from Mexico. However? they did want to be rid of Santa Anna? who ruled as a Mexican dictator. In October 1835? Texans in the town of Gonzales clashed with Mexican troops. The Texans forced the Mexicans to withdraw. Two months later? Texans went and took San Antonio. Determined to stamp out the rebellion? Santa Anna went north with a large army. By the time Santa Anna reached San Antonio? lots of Texans who took the city had just left. Less then 200 Texans stayed as defenders. In spite the tremendous odds against them? the Texans refused to give up. Instead? they went to an old Spanish mission called the Alamo.

Things weren't looking to good for the Texans. They were poorly equipped for battle. Supplies of ammunition? medicine? and food were low. There were only about 150 Texans to defend against 6?000 Mexican troops.

William Travis commanded the Texans at the Alamo. Among the volunteers were Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett? a lot of Tejano families? two women? and two young male slaves.

In 1810? the same year that Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla started Mexico's first attempt to gain independence from Spain? Santa Anna joined the colonial Spanish Army under Joaquín de Arredondo? who taught him much about dealing with Mexican nationalist rebels.After being disappointed by not being able to capture him? the unit stayed in northern Mexico for a campaign against northern ...