Mendizábal's Desamortización: Agrarian Reform and Societal Impact

Consequences of Confiscation and Agrarian Change

The process of confiscation, or Desamortización, had several significant consequences for Spain's agrarian structure and society:

1. It did not primarily aim to allocate land among the poorest or enact agrarian reform, but rather to raise money for the state.
2. In the medium and long term, it helped increase the overall volume of agricultural product.
3. The extension of sales is estimated to have affected up to 50% of the arable land.
4. It also led to an expansion of cultivated areas and a more productive agriculture.
5. Other contributing factors included the abolition of tithes, the dissolution of the Mesta (shepherds' guild), improved transportation, and a more protectionist economic policy.
6. The increase in population served as a factor favoring crop intensification.
7. The emergence of an agricultural proletariat.
8. The apparition of a new landed gentry, which sought to emulate the old aristocracy.
9. Consolidation of large estates (latifundia) in the center and south of the peninsula, contrasting with smallholdings (minifundia) in the north.
10. Worsening living conditions for small farmers, exacerbated by the sale of municipal common lands.
11. Loss and looting of much of Spain's artistic and cultural heritage (paintings, books, etc.).

The Mendizábal Confiscation Era

Context and Initial Measures

Following the death of Ferdinand VII, unresolved economic problems persisted. To the existing government deficit and national debt interest, the significant cost of the Carlist War was added. To address these pressing issues, on March 24, 1834, a decree ordered the suppression of religious houses whose members had fled to the Carlist ranks. During the rule of the Count of Toreno, the Society of Jesus was suppressed, and its assets and income were applied to debt reduction. In July 1835, monasteries with fewer than 12 professed members were also suppressed. As Toreno failed to secure an advantageous loan for the Treasury, the Queen Regent appointed Juan de Dios Álvarez Méndez, better known as Mendizábal, who subsequently radicalized these measures. Mendizábal's ambitious goals included ending the Carlist War, repaying national debt, transferring church property into private hands, and increasing support for the liberal Isabeline cause.

Secularization Decrees and Sales

Under these conditions, on October 11, 1835, a decree ordered the general secularization and dissolution of religious orders, with the exception of those dedicated to education and hospital assistance. On February 19, 1836, the sale of these extinguished corporate properties was announced. Sales were conducted via public auction and could be paid for in cash or national debt securities.

Secular Clergy Property and Later Developments

Regarding the property of the secular clergy, it was declared national property by Royal Decree on July 29, 1837. However, its sale did not commence until 1840, as the Court initially struck down several articles. Full implementation was delayed until the regency of Espartero, when Finance Minister Pedro Surrá y Rull presented a bill issued on September 2, known as the "Espartero Law." This law remained in force until the decree of Alejandro Mon on August 8, 1844, which suspended the sales. In April 1845, it was agreed that unsold assets from the secular clergy would be returned to their former owners. The Concordat with the Vatican in 1851, while paralyzing further sales, saw the Vatican accept the sales already made to individuals.

Key Objectives of the Confiscation

The confiscation aimed to achieve several key objectives:

• To adequately fund the military needs of the Carlist Wars.
• To eliminate national debt by allowing buyers the option of paying with government bonds.
• To secure the loyalty of beneficiaries to the Liberal ranks.
• To improve the state's creditworthiness and ability to secure loans.
• To transform the structure of church property, which was seen as unproductive and hindering economic progress.
• To promote collective and individual freedom.
• To ultimately weaken the Church's stronghold, which was perceived as a retarding factor for the triumph of liberalism.