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| 5. Lombardy |
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(See Other Italian States)| Lombardy, under the control of the Habsburgs, was one of the most modern agricultural regions in Europe. The 18th century saw the continued development of agriculture in Lombardy but no corresponding shifts in social structure. Land continued to be held by the Church and large estate holders. Maria Theresa and Joseph II sought to reform tax collection and bureaucracy to reflect agricultural developments. | 1 |
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| 1718 |
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| The land register started but, because of opposition from the nobility, it was never completed. | 2 |
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| 1748–55 |
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| A commission (Junta) completed the land register, which provided the Habsburgs with a means of determining taxes on the basis of land. | 3 |
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| 1750 |
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| Pompeo Neri, a professor and chairman of the Junta, published his Relazione, an account of the principles to be applied to the new land register. He argued for the abolition of all taxes except the land tax as well as the elimination of privileges. | 4 |
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| 1753 |
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| Bank of Santa Teresa set up to guarantee the state's debt to its tax farmers. | 5 |
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| 1760, Jan. 1 |
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| New fiscal law, based on land register, in effect. Taxes now passed on assessment of land and the principle of equal taxation for all landowners established. | 6 |
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| 1765 |
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| A special Junta established to deal with the problem of getting tax support from the clergy. It limited the role the Church could play in government. | 7 |
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| 1765 |
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| The Tax Farm reformed to give the government more control and a share of the profits. | 8 |
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| 1765 |
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| A new council, Supremo Consiglio di Economia, established to break the power of the Milanese oligarchy. | 9 |
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| 1767 |
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| Pavia University reformed and new curriculum introduced. | 10 |
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| 1768, Dec. 30 |
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| Censorship removed from the hands of the Inquisition and invested in Giunta agli studi, a special commission authorized by the state. | 11 |
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| 1769 |
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| Prisons in religious houses closed; religious services reformed. | 12 |
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