Spanish Land Reforms: Desvinculación, Tithe Suppression, and Confiscations
Spanish Land Reforms
Desvinculación: Abolition of Primogeniture
The abolition of primogeniture, removed by a law of 1841, changed property rights. Primogeniture, which limited property to third-party rights (noble houses), underwent a change of ownership but not possession.
This benefited the nobility, increasing the value of their properties. Land supply increased, further benefiting the aristocracy.
Suppression of Tithe
The tithe (a tenth of the final product appropriated through feudal practices) was suppressed in 1841 by a liberal law. This law provided compensation to the lay and clergy to sustain the Church.
Farmers transitioned from paying taxes in kind to paying in cash. The Church received a fixed monthly amount. This change forced peasants to sell their production, contributing to the modernization of agriculture.
Land Reform
Land reform encompasses political, economic, social, and legislative measures aimed at changing ownership structures (based on private property) and land production (for the market).
Key Measures:
Confiscations
The Liberals took over lands from the Church and municipalities, paying back debts. They nationalized and sold the property at public auction. The Church received a regular endowment for maintenance. Municipalities received debt, which was uncertain due to the state’s bankruptcy.
Main confiscations occurred under Godoy (1798), Mendizabal (1836), Espartero (1841), and Madoz (1855). These actions consolidated the liberal bloc and generated substantial income.
Economic Effects:
- Did not change the land structure significantly.
- Increased social polarization in rural areas.
- Expanded arable land, increasing agricultural production.
- Did not foster innovation.
- Contributed labor to the industrial sector.
- Freed up more capital.
Liberals used confiscations to resolve the crisis, attract buyers, and consolidate power.
Abolition of the Old Regime
Liberals ended the old regime and established property rights. They transformed imperfect property types, including manors and feudal courts.
The problem focused on feudal courts. Farmers claimed their land, but judges often favored the manor. This resulted in a tacit agreement where feudal lords retained their property rights.
The peasantry was abolished without compensation. The abolition of the feudal regime redistributed property rights, with lords losing jurisdictions but retaining and widening their property rights.