IV. The Early Modern Period, 1500–1800 > B. Early Modern Europe, 1479–1815 > 5. National Patterns, 1648–1815 > e. Italy and the Papacy > 6. Tuscany
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
(See Other Italian States)
 
6. Tuscany
 
Tuscany fell into Habsburg hands only after the extinction of the Medici line in 1737. The Medicis continued to use the aristocratic Comune created in the 16th century. As a result of this and Medici policies generally, money was heavily invested in land because land brought prestige. However, such investments did not provide the large yields that trade and banking would have provided.  1
 
1733
 
Monsignor Cerati became director of University of Pisa. Cerati provided an intellectual basis for many of the reforms introduced in the 18th century. Most important, he called for new economic policies eliminating trade restrictions and tariffs.  2
 
1737–45
 
Francis of Lorraine, Grand Duke of Tuscany.  3
 
1738
 
Francis refused to publish the papal bull condemning freemasonry and introduced a law limiting the right to bear arms. The latter disarmed the Inquisitor's agents.  4
 
1739
 
Government dismissed all the consuls of the city's guilds and appointed officials to carry out its reforms. The tax system and fiscal system completely revamped.  5
 
1740, Dec
 
Tuscan finances contracted to a private French company. This new tax farm replaced the numerous private collectors in an effort to rationalize tax collection.  6
 
1743, May 28
 
Censorship of books and presses transferred from the Church to the state.  7
 
1747–90
 
Leopold I. The administration was remade, serfdom abolished, trade and industry encouraged.  8
 
1747
 
Gabriele Verri redrafted the Milanese legal code to improve its clarity and structure.  9
 
1747
 
Edict restricted the fidecommesso (property settlement) to nobility and allowed land inheritances to be passed down in this manner for only four generations.  10
 
1750
 
Law required that all titles held before the 18th century be verified. While this was designed to limit the nobility to those considered worthy (i.e., without demeaning professions, etc.), it met with opposition from the nobility.  11
 
1751
 
A law of mortmain set limits on donations of land and moveable goods to the Church. Above those limits, the Regency Council had to approve the transfer.  12
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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