Jovellanos’ Agrarian Law Report: Analysis and Context
Comment Text 2 – Report on the Agrarian Law of Jovellanos
This is a historical and literary text, a report on the state of agriculture in Spain.
The text is dated April 16, 1794, in Madrid.
Charles III was a king who implemented enlightened reforms from above, aiming to modernize the monarchy and increase welfare. The Enlightenment, a major European cultural movement, had unique characteristics in Spain. It was elitist, with enlightened ideas shared only by a small intellectual group, and ideologically dependent on the Catholic Church, which used the Inquisition for control.
Charles III’s agrarian policy sought to boost agricultural production, unify the market, create a landowner class, and increase government revenue through agricultural contributions. His reign faced challenges, such as the Mutiny of Squillace (1766), sparked by rising food prices, dress restrictions, and opposition to reforms. The issue was resolved by removing Squillace, lowering bread prices, and expelling the Jesuits.
The text was written by Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, a reformer with strong convictions, typical of the Enlightenment. He championed material and scientific progress. Born into a noble family in Gijon, he held a doctorate in canon law and various judicial posts, maintaining close contact with influential figures of the Spanish Enlightenment. He wrote on economic and educational issues, leaning towards liberalism. He was a member of several organizations, including the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País of Madrid, for which he wrote the Report on the Agrarian Law, his most important work, published during the reign of Charles IV, though the draft originated under Charles III. The report criticizes the excessive amount of land held by civil and ecclesiastical entities, considering it the biggest problem for Spanish agriculture. This led to him being labeled a Jansenist and exiled by Manuel Godoy. From 1808, he suffered from the misunderstandings of the War of Independence.
The text was aimed at the monarchy and the Council of Castile.
For text analysis, we use a method that allows logical grouping of main and secondary ideas.
1. Advocacy for Agriculture as a Major Economic Activity
Agricultural development and productivity require changes in technology, farming methods, and fertilizers.
2. Dissolution of the Mesta and Reducing Livestock Prevalence
Livestock, controlled by lords and owners of large herds, encroached on agricultural land needed for cultivation.
3. Repeal of Husbandry Ordinances and Charters
This would allow agricultural development (freedom to crop) under fairer rules, promoting crop cultivation, livestock management, and property rights.
Now, let’s discuss the text:
Population growth necessitated increased production, but this was hindered by the property regime, which favored the privileged. Properties were entailed (mayorazgos and manos muertas), meaning they could not be sold or divided. These lands, owned by nobles and clergy, were rented through auctions, often returning to the wealthy. Low productivity on land farmed by small farmers led to low yields and persistent livelihood crises.
New land was needed, but changes were limited, and proposed reforms did not address ownership transformation.
Livestock held more importance than agriculture, with large areas used for pasture by nomadic or local oligarchies.
Charles III’s agrarian reforms included promoting technological innovations, introducing new crops like corn and potatoes, colonizing depopulated areas, reducing Mesta privileges, executing hydraulic works for irrigation, and distributing municipal lands among poorer residents.
The colonization of uninhabited lands in Andalusia and Sierra Morena with Flemish and German Catholic immigrants was a success, with over 10,000 farmers in reforested areas after ten years. Newcomers received 50 bushels of land from royal and public lands, aiming to create a new society based on enlightened principles.