Mendizábal Disentailment and Spanish Liberal Reforms

The Regency of Maria Cristina and the Liberal Cause

Since 1833, Maria Cristina of Naples took the regency for her daughter, Isabella II, until she reached the age of majority. The Queen placed Martinez de la Rosa at the head of the government, who approved the Royal Statute (1834) to ensure closer adherence to the liberal Isabelline cause.

Agricultural Challenges and the Need for Reform

By 1833, agriculture remained the backbone of the Spanish economy. After the death of Ferdinand VII, the major socio-political impediments to agricultural growth and modernization were the excess of mortmain land, the lack of economic freedoms, and the unequal distribution of land.

The Three Pillars of Liberal Reform in 1837

Liberals began a reform in 1837 based on three major measures:

• Dissolution of the manor: The former master became the new owner, and many farmers transitioned to the condition of day laborers (jornaleros).
• Decoupling: This meant that estates previously tied to a family were now free to be sold on the market.
• Disentailment: This had been a recurring element of government policy since Godoy (1798) as a means for the state to obtain resources through the sale of land owned by the Church and municipalities.

Mendizábal and the Disentailment of 1836

In 1836, the progressive Juan Álvarez Mendizábal issued the Royal Decree declaring the sale of the property of religious corporations. These assets were offered for sale by public auction, accessible to all interested individuals. Mendizábal's goal was to obtain the necessary resources to finance the Liberal army, recover debt vouchers, and reduce the state deficit.

Economic Liberalism and Market Freedom

Alongside the abolition of the seigneurial regime and the transformation of ownership, several measures were designed to ensure free market functionality and complete the liberalization of the economy:

• Abolition of the privileges of the Mesta.
• Freedom of agricultural leases, prices, and storage.
• Abolition of guild privileges.
• Recognition of the freedom of industry and trade.
• Abolition of internal tariffs.

These actions completed the legal framework for the implementation of economic liberalism in Spain.