Malcolm Rivera
General Antonio López de Santa Anna was a Mexican general, politician, and caudillo who served as the country's president on multiple occasions between 1833 and 1855. He played a significant role in the promulgation of the Constitution of 1835 and the establishment of the Centralist Republic of Mexico. Santa Anna was known for his dictatorial style of rule and his role in the Texas Revolution. He repealed the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which had granted considerable rights to individual Mexican states, and sparked the Texas Revolution by dissolving the state legislature and concentrating power in himself, leading to Texas' independence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1835 |
| Constitution repealed | 1824 |
| States' rights | States had considerable rights |
| Basis | Federal government of sovereign states |
| Exemptions | Texans were exempt from taxes, tariffs and government services |
| Self-government | Texans believed the constitution guaranteed self-government |
| Texas Revolution | Santa Anna's actions sparked the Texas Revolution |
| Texas Independence | Santa Anna had to grant Texas independence |
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What You'll Learn
Santa Anna repealed the Mexican Constitution of 1824
Santa Anna was a Mexican general, politician, and caudillo who served as the country's president on multiple occasions between 1833 and 1855. He was a controversial figure in Mexican politics during the 19th century, playing a notable role in the promulgation of the Constitution of 1835 and the Constitution of 1843.
Santa Anna was known for switching sides between the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. In 1835, he deposed his vice president, Valentín Gómez Farías, dissolved Congress, and repealed the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which had been established under the country's first president, Guadalupe Victoria. The Constitution of 1824 gave considerable rights to individual Mexican states and was based on "a federal government of sovereign states". Under this constitution, American settlers in Texas were exempt from taxes, tariffs, and government services, including defence, so the Texans governed themselves.
Santa Anna's repeal of the 1824 Constitution and his declaration of himself as dictator sparked rebellions in several Mexican states, including Texas, which had been working under an illegal system of government since Santa Anna dissolved the state legislature. The Texans originally fought for the reinstatement of the Constitution of 1824 but soon turned to the cause of independence. Santa Anna personally led the army into Texas to quell the revolution, carrying out a "take-no-prisoners" policy, which included the execution of all men at the Alamo and at Goliad. This infuriated the Texans and led to a crushing defeat for Santa Anna at San Jacinto, where he was captured and forced to grant Texas independence.
Santa Anna's actions as dictator had far-reaching consequences, including the loss of Texas and a series of military failures during the Mexican-American War. In spite of this, he was able to regain his status by defeating a French invading force in 1838.
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He dissolved the state legislature
General Antonio López de Santa Anna was a Mexican general, politician, and caudillo who served as the country's president on multiple occasions between 1833 and 1855. He was a pivotal figure in Mexican politics during the 19th century and played a significant role in the promulgation of the Constitution of 1835 and the establishment of the Centralist Republic of Mexico.
Santa Anna was known for his dictatorial style of rule and his tendency to switch sides between the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. He came to power as a liberal twice, in 1832 and 1847, but both times he overthrew his liberal vice president, Valentín Gómez Farías, and sided with the conservatives.
In 1835, Santa Anna deposed his vice president, dissolved Congress, and dismissed state legislatures, thereby concentrating power in his own hands. This act of dissolving the state legislature had far-reaching consequences and marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
By dissolving the state legislature, Santa Anna effectively eliminated any checks and balances on his power. He consolidated his authority and established himself as a dictator, declaring himself "His Most Serene Highness". This power grab sparked widespread discontent and rebellions across Mexico, including the Texas Revolution. Texas, which had enjoyed considerable rights and autonomy under the Constitution of 1824, found itself working under an illegal system of government.
The Texans originally fought for their rights under the Constitution of 1824 but eventually shifted their goal to full independence. Santa Anna personally led the army into Texas to quell the revolution, implementing a infamous "take-no-prisoners" policy that further inflamed tensions. His actions ultimately led to a crushing defeat at the hands of the Texans at the Battle of San Jacinto, resulting in Texas gaining its independence.
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He killed Texan prisoners
The Mexican general, politician, and caudillo, Antonio López de Santa Anna, played a significant role in the Texas Revolution. Santa Anna is known for his ruthless actions during the conflict, including the killing of Texan prisoners.
Santa Anna's involvement in the Texas Revolution began with his repeal of the Mexican Constitution of 1824. This constitution granted significant rights to individual Mexican states, allowing them to govern themselves. The constitution also exempted American settlers in Texas from taxes, tariffs, and government services. However, in 1830, the Mexican Congress passed a law prohibiting further American immigration to Texas and authorizing the garrisoning of convict troops to enforce the law. This decision was influenced by the United States' repeated attempts to purchase Texas, raising suspicions among Mexicans.
As a result of Santa Anna's actions, Texas, along with several other Mexican states, rebelled. The Texans initially fought for the reinstatement of the Constitution of 1824 but later shifted their goal to independence. Santa Anna personally led the Mexican army into Texas to suppress the revolution. He implemented a "'take-no-prisoners' policy", ordering that "all foreigners who might be caught under arms on Mexican soil should be treated as pirates and shot."
On March 6, 1836, the Alamo, a fort in San Antonio, fell to Santa Anna's forces after a 13-day siege. Every man in the fort was either killed or wounded. Six wounded survivors were captured and executed on the spot by Santa Anna, further demonstrating his ruthless "take-no-prisoners" approach. This event enraged the Texans and fueled their resistance.
Santa Anna's actions during the Texas Revolution, including his killing of Texan prisoners, ultimately led to his defeat at the hands of the Texans. On April 21, 1836, the Texan Army, led by General Sam Houston, defeated Santa Anna's army in a battle that lasted only 18 minutes. Santa Anna was captured and was forced to grant Texas its independence.
Santa Anna's decision to kill Texan prisoners, along with his other actions during the Texas Revolution, had significant consequences. His brutal policies united the Texans against him and contributed to their determination to fight for independence. As a result, Texas successfully gained its independence from Mexico, and Santa Anna's actions continue to be remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of both Texas and Mexico.
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He led the army into Texas to crush the revolution
General Antonio López de Santa Anna was a Mexican general, politician, and caudillo who served as the country's president on multiple occasions between 1833 and 1855. He was a pivotal figure in Mexican politics during the 19th century, particularly in the Texas Revolution.
Santa Anna was known for his dictatorial style of rule, and he played a prominent role in discarding the liberal Constitution of 1824 in 1835. The Constitution of 1824 gave considerable rights to individual Mexican states, including tax exemptions and autonomy from the central government in Mexico City. It also allowed for the influx of American settlers into Texas, which made the Mexicans suspicious of US intentions.
In 1835, Santa Anna deposed his vice president, Valentín Gómez Farías, dissolved Congress, and repealed the Constitution of 1824, declaring himself dictator. This sparked rebellions in several Mexican states, including Texas.
Texas, along with several other Mexican states, rebelled against Santa Anna's illegal system of government. The Texans originally fought for the reinstatement of the Constitution of 1824 but soon turned to seeking independence. The Texas Revolution began in September 1835, and Santa Anna personally led the army into Texas to crush the revolution.
Santa Anna's "take-no-prisoners" policy, as demonstrated at the Alamo and Goliad, infuriated the Texans. After defeating the Texans at the Alamo, Santa Anna had the six wounded survivors of the siege executed on the spot. This policy, coupled with Santa Anna's overconfidence, led to a crushing defeat at the hands of the Texans at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.
As a result of this defeat, Santa Anna was captured and brought before General Sam Houston. He was forced to grant Texas independence, and the Republic of Texas was born.
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He was captured and brought to Sam Houston
General Antonio López de Santa Anna was a Mexican general, politician, and caudillo who served as the 8th president of Mexico on multiple occasions between 1833 and 1855. He was a controversial figure in Mexican politics during the 19th century, playing a notable role in the promulgation of the Constitution of 1835, the Texas Revolution, and the promulgation of the Constitution of 1843.
Santa Anna was a pivotal figure in the Texas Revolution, which was sparked by his decision to repeal the Mexican Constitution of 1824. This constitution gave considerable rights to individual Mexican states and was based on "a federal government of sovereign states". Under this constitution, American settlers in Texas were exempt from taxes, tariffs, and government services, allowing them to govern themselves.
Santa Anna's actions in repealing this constitution and declaring himself dictator led to widespread rebellion, including the Texas Revolution. He personally led the army into Texas to quell the revolution, carrying out a "take-no-prisoners" policy, which included the execution of all men at the Alamo.
During the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Anna disappeared, and General Houston ordered a search of the island. Santa Anna was captured and brought to Sam Houston, where he surrendered and agreed to grant Texas independence. This marked a significant turning point in the Texas Revolution, as Texas was now free from Mexican rule.
Santa Anna's capture and surrender to General Houston had far-reaching consequences. It led to the birth of the Republic of Texas and changed the geopolitical landscape of the region. Santa Anna's actions and decisions during his political career, including his role in overturning the Constitution of 1824, had a lasting impact on the course of history in Mexico and the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of 1824 was a federal constitution that gave individual Mexican states considerable rights and freedoms. It was based on "a federal government of sovereign states".
General Santa Anna repealed the Constitution of 1824, dissolved the state legislature, and brought all the power to himself. He also decreed that "all foreigners who might be caught under arms on Mexican soil should be treated as pirates and shot".
Texas, along with several other Mexican states, rebelled, leading to the Texas Revolution. The Texans originally fought for the Constitution of 1824 but soon turned to independence. Santa Anna personally led the army into Texas to quell the revolution and carried out a "take-no-prisoners" policy, having everyone killed at the Alamo and at Goliad.
The Texans defeated Santa Anna's army at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, and Santa Anna was captured and brought to Sam Houston. Texas gained independence from Mexico as a result.
