Notes about the common land in Lombard Alpine valleys (18th and 19th centuries)

During the eighteenth century, the communities of the lombardy alpine valleys managed the common land and achieved a balanced exploitation of the available resources. They distributed their products to guarantee a social and economic equlibrium in the village. Everything changed becuase of new taxes on real estate and its rents. besides, during the 19th century, the State favoured the sale of the common land to the rich bourgeoisie because government thought that new entrepreneurs could obtain better yields. This did not happen and, in many cases, the purchasers overexploited pasrures and especially forests until thei depletion and sometimes caused enviromental damages. At the end of the ninettenth century, the surface, the fruits produced and the value of the common land were strongly reduced. This, together with other factors reducing the income of the typical pluriactivity of the Alpine valleys, caused the definitive emigartion of the poorest families.