Paysans de vieille-castille aux 16e et 17e siecles

Peasants of old castile in the 16th and 17th centuries

• Auteur / Autrice : Francis Brumont
• Direction : Bartolomé Bennassar
• Type : Thèse de doctorat
• Discipline(s) : Histoire
• Date : Soutenance en 1989
• Etablissement(s) : Toulouse 2

Mots clés

Mots clés libres

Histoire

16-17-18emes siecles economie

Espagne. Vieille castille

Paysannerie

Histoire rurale

Agriculture

Cereales

Vigne

Elevage

Résumé

La vieille-castille au milieu du 16e siecle etait assez densement peuplee, la population se regroupant dans des petits villages, a l'activite relativement diversifiee. L'agriculture y domine; cereales et vin sont les productions principales, l'elevage etant peu repandu, sauf dans les zones accidentees. La petite exploitation familiale est la norme, les paysans possedant en propre la majorite des terres. Les structures sociales sont peu contrastees, meme si certaines zones presentent des inegalites assez marquees. Le 17e siecle voit se produire une forte diminution de la population; la production cerealiere chute de moitie alors que la vigne et surtout l'elevage connaissent un certain developpement. La propriete a tendance a se concentrer aux mains de moyens et grands laboureurs dont l'activite est de plus en plus tournee vers le marche et qui privilegient les productions les plus rentables. Cette oligarchie accapare les offices municipaux et certains de ses membres connaissent une ascension sociale, notamment en direction du clerge. Malgre tout, l'activite reste traditionnelle et il n'est pas possible de constater une evolution vers des formes modernes de type capitaliste.

Peasants of old castile in the 16th and 17th centuries the population of old castile in the middle of the 16th century was quite dense and was concentrated in small villages whose activity was rather diversified. Agriculture was dominant ; grains and wine were the principal commodities, livestock raising was less widespread except in hilly regions. Small family farms were typical ; peasants possessed most of the land. Social structures were little diffeentiated, even if in some areas land-holdings were much more unequally distributed. The 17th century witnessed an important population decline ; grain production fell by half while wine and livestock raising experienced some development. Property tended to be concentrated in fewer hand middling and large farmers ; their activites were more and more market oriented and they privileged the most profitable commodities. This oligarchy monopolized municipal offices and some of its members rose to higher status, notably in the clergy. All in all, economic activity remained traditionnal, and it is not possible to observe an evolution toward modern forms of capitalism.