Liberal reforms, rural society and property rights on lands in the south frontier of Buenos Aires (2nd half of the 19th century). The “provisory donations ´ of Azul”

Abstract

The aim of this work is to examine the official revision of “provisory donations” implemented in the party of Azul and the response of the rural society during the 2nd half of the 19th century. Across a principally qualitative analysis of the legislation, press, epistolary correspondence, lands files, and other contemporary sources, it is approached the legal frame and the social action, taking into account the arguments used for the putting in value of the rights and the access to the formal property. It is studied as well the central limits of the process, characterized by a great interaction, complexity, disputes and resistances during this restructuring stage up to the closing of the border. It is raised that the “liberal reforms” did not suppose a radical change in the social practices and in the access to the resource, which had previous institutional and social roots