Antonio LÃ pez de Santa Anna PÃ rez de LebrÃ n ( February 21 , 1794 - 21 June 1876 ) was a Mexican general and dictator . Antonio de Padua MarÃ a Severino LÃ pez de Santa Anna y PÃ rez de LebrÃ n ( 21 February 1794 -- ; 21 June 1876 ) , often known as Santa Anna or LÃ pez de Santa Anna , self-called the Napoleon of the West , was a Mexican political leader , general , and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government .