Complex sentence: In 1871 the government confiscated the lands of temples, which were seen as a symbol of the previous ruling elite, and expropriated the properties of the feudal lords, causing the loss of historic castles and residences.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1871 the government confiscated temple lands, which were considered symbolic of the previous ruling elite. Properties belonging to the feudal lords were expropriated, which caused the loss of historic castles and residences.