Santa Anna of Mexico

The British minister plenipotentiary, Richard Pakenham, summarized the implications of the Bases de Tacubaya as follows: ""For" at least a year, General Santa Anna will, according to the plan proclaimed by him and his adherents, be invested with almost absolute power." He noted that unlike in the previous revolts Santa Anna had led, "his success has been most rapid—I might almost say unopposed." He also pointed out that "persons of every party and of the most opposite political opinions have supported his undertaking, apparently from the impression that any change from the order of things previously existing would be for the better." The Bases de Tacubaya caused little discontent. The pro- nunciamientos that were launched to oppose them were exceptional. In the south, Nicolás Bravo and Juan Álvarez joined forces and issued the Plan of Chilpancingo against "the odious tyrannical dictatorship" that was being ushered in. However, their voice of dissent did not stir the wave of support they expected. The government Santa Anna forged was able to administer the republic for three years without having to quell pronunciamientos on a regular basis.¹

The result of the Triangular Revolt was the creation of a temporary dictatorship intended to restore order while a new constituent Congress was formed. Santa Anna, who for once opted to stay in the capital, was still in fine form at forty-seven. According to U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary Waddy Thompson, he "was about five feet ten inches high, with a finely proportioned person. His complexion is olive cast," and Thompson had never seen "a more striking and finely formed head and face."²

For an entire year, from 10 October 1841 to 26 October 1842, he led his

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