Analysis of Mendizabal’s Ecclesiastical Confiscation Decree of 1836
Mendizabal’s Ecclesiastical Confiscation Decree of 1836
Analysis
General Context
Mendizabal informs Queen Isabella II about the decree that establishes the confiscation of Church lands. He highlights the benefits arising from this measure and explains the process leading to it. The decree was published in the Madrid Gazette on February 21, 1836.
Objectives of the Confiscation
Economic Objectives:
- Revitalization of stagnant wealth
- Removal of obstacles to industry and commerce
- Stimulation of economic growth
- Reduction of public debt
Political Objectives:
- Strengthening the nation and fostering patriotism
- Promoting freedom and identifying the throne with Queen Isabella II
Socio-Economic Objectives:
- Increasing public welfare
- Fostering national unity and love for the country
- Improving living conditions in Spain
Information
- Confiscation: The exclusion of unproductive assets from a stagnant market.
- Queen Isabella II: Queen of Spain from 1833 to 1868. During her minority, her mother, Maria Christina, ruled as regent.
- BM: His/Her Majesty.
- Madrid Gazette: An important newspaper of the time.
Historical Context
Following the death of Ferdinand VII in 1833, liberal principles were established in Spain. A new political system based on limited suffrage emerged, dominated by the oligarchy. This period was marked by political instability, military interventions (pronunciamientos), and weak governments.
The Reign of Isabella II
Regency of Maria Christina (1833-1840):
- First Carlist War: Liberals supported the Queen.
- Provincial division of Javier de Burgos (1833): Spain was divided into 49 provinces.
- Royal Statute (1834): Aimed to establish a constitutional monarchy but failed due to liberal opposition.
- Constitution of 1837: Established national sovereignty, a bicameral parliament, individual rights, and recognized Roman Catholicism as the official religion.
The liberal government implemented several reforms, including the ecclesiastical confiscations initiated by Mendizabal.
Mendizabal’s Confiscation
Definition and types of confiscation: Mendizabal’s confiscation targeted the regular clergy in 1836 and the secular clergy in 1837.
Objectives:
- Economic: The primary objective was to raise funds to address public debt and the dire state of finances. The government needed to secure new loans and pay off existing creditors, especially to finance the war effort.
- Political: The confiscation aimed to strengthen liberalism by expanding its social base. By creating new landowners, the government sought to ensure the long-term success of the liberal cause. It also aimed to reduce the power of the Church.
- Socio-economic: The goal was to create a middle class of landowners and stimulate agricultural productivity.
Implementation:
Decrees in 1836 and 1837 nationalized Church properties, which were then put up for sale through public auctions or long-term leases (enfiteusis).
Outcomes:
- Limited economic success: Due to the law of supply and demand, land prices fell, and the state did not obtain the expected revenue.
- Political objectives partially achieved: Liberalism was consolidated, and the Carlist threat was overcome. However, the social base of liberalism did not expand significantly.
- Socio-economic objectives not achieved: The focus on short-term revenue generation prevented agricultural reforms. Land ownership structure remained largely unchanged, and agricultural productivity did not increase significantly in the short or medium term.
Conclusion
Mendizabal’s ecclesiastical confiscation had mixed results. While it contributed to the consolidation of liberalism and the defeat of the Carlists, it failed to achieve its economic and social objectives fully. The land redistribution did not lead to the creation of a strong middle class or significant improvements in agricultural productivity. Subsequent confiscation efforts, such as those under Espartero and Madoz, also fell short of their goals.