How to Pronounce Antonio López de Santa Anna

Meaning and Context

Antonio López de Santa Anna, a central and polarizing figure in 19th-century Mexican history, was a military officer and politician whose career was defined by volatility and a profound impact on the nation's trajectory. He served as President of Mexico on eleven non-consecutive occasions between 1833 and 1855, a period marked by political instability, the loss of vast territories, and the struggle between centralist and federalist ideologies. His legacy is inextricably linked to major historical events, including the Texas Revolution, where his forces won the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 but were later defeated at San Jacinto, and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), which concluded with the catastrophic Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Often characterized as a caudillo—a strongman leader—Santa Anna's rule oscillated between liberal and conservative factions, and his leadership is frequently cited as a key factor in Mexico's territorial losses and political turmoil during its formative early national period.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Antonio López de Santa Anna. Common variations and errors often arise from Anglicization, punctuation, and compound surname conventions. A frequent misspelling is "Santa Ana," dropping the double 'n', which is an error as it changes the proper name. Some may incorrectly write "Lopez" without the accent on the 'o', though in English contexts this accent is sometimes omitted. His surname is also sometimes erroneously hyphenated as "Santa-Anna" or run together as "Santaanna." Another point of confusion is the inclusion of "de," which is a particle meaning "of" and is part of the full surname; it should not be capitalized in the middle of the name (e.g., "López de Santa Anna"). In historical writing, he is sometimes referred to simply as "Santa Anna."

Example Sentences

Historians continue to debate whether Antonio López de Santa Anna was a cynical opportunist or a patriot whose ambitions ultimately undermined his own goals.

Following his capture at the Battle of San Jacinto, Santa Anna was forced to sign treaties recognizing Texan independence.

The political chaos of the santanista era, marked by Santa Anna's repeated returns to power, hindered Mexico's economic development and national consolidation.

In his later years, living in exile, Santa Anna famously attempted to profit by introducing chicle to the United States, a venture that indirectly contributed to the development of chewing gum.

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