The Ley Lerdo, enacted in 1856 in Mexico, aimed to promote land reform by breaking up large estates owned by the church and wealthy individuals. This law sought to redistribute land to peasants and small farmers, encouraging agricultural development and reducing the power of the church in land ownership. The law was named after José María Lerdo de Tejada, a prominent Mexican politician and president who championed these reforms. Although it faced resistance and was not fully implemented, the Ley Lerdo marked a significant step towards modernizing land ownership in Mexico and addressing social inequalities.