Zoe Alvarez
Sharecropping is a legal arrangement in which a landowner allows a tenant (sharecropper) to use their land in return for a share of the crops produced on that land. Sharecropping is not the same as tenant farming, which gives the tenant more freedom and a higher social status. The specifics of sharecropping arrangements varied from place to place and over time, but they were typically heavily skewed in favour of the landowner. Sharecroppers were often paid only a small portion of the crop they produced, and they were frequently burdened with substantial debt to the landowner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A legal arrangement in which a landowner allows a tenant (sharecropper) to use the land in return for a share of the crops produced on that land. |
| Development | Sharecropping developed after the Civil War, when the southern economy lay in ruins. With the Confederate monetary system wiped out, farmland decimated, and slavery abolished, access to labor and capital was extremely limited among Southern landowners. |
| Who did it affect | Poor farmers of all races, formerly enslaved people, and poor rural whites. |
| Where did it happen | Georgia, the South, colonial Africa, Durham County, North Carolina, and other Southern states. |
| Advantages | Sharecropping may allow women to have access to arable land, albeit not as owners, in places where ownership rights are vested only in men. |
| Disadvantages | The system was exploitative, and many sharecroppers were barely able to make ends meet, becoming indebted to their landlords. |
| Alternative names | Share tenancy, share-contracting, share-renters, sharefarming, tenant farming. |
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What You'll Learn
Sharecropping agreements
Sharecropping is a legal arrangement in which a landowner allows a tenant (sharecropper) to use their land in exchange for a share of the crops produced on that land. The specifics of sharecropping agreements varied from place to place and over time, but they typically involved the landowner providing land, housing, tools, seeds, and working animals, while the sharecropper contributed their labour.
In the post-Civil War South, sharecropping emerged as a compromise between formerly enslaved people who wanted autonomy and independence, and landowners who wanted to maintain economic control. Under the sharecropping system, formerly enslaved people could establish their own farms on plots of land rented from landowners. This provided them with a degree of freedom and the possibility of earning a profit. However, the sharecropping system also perpetuated economic dependency on landowners, as sharecroppers often had to take out loans from the landowners to purchase supplies, which created cycles of debt. Additionally, sharecroppers were often restricted in how and to whom they could sell their crops, further limiting their economic freedom.
The share of the crop given to the sharecropper could vary depending on the agreement and the contributions they could make beyond their labour. For example, if a sharecropper could provide a mule for ploughing, they might receive a larger portion of the crop at the end of the season. Typically, sharecroppers received between one-third and two-thirds of the crop, with the rest going to the landowner. In some cases, sharecroppers might also be paid a small cash stipend in addition to their share of the crop.
While sharecropping provided a solution for landowners who lacked the capital to pay wages, it often left sharecroppers in a vulnerable position. Bad harvests or low crop prices could result in substantial debt to landowners, and unfair practices further exacerbated the challenges faced by sharecroppers. Despite these issues, some economists argue that sharecropping can be mutually beneficial, allowing differently endowed enterprises to pool resources and manage risks.
In conclusion, sharecropping agreements involve a tenant farmer working on an owner's land in exchange for living accommodations and a share of the crop profits. While sharecropping can provide benefits to both parties, it is important to recognize the historical context and power imbalances that have shaped its development and impact on different communities.
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The development of sharecropping
Sharecropping is a legal arrangement in which a landowner allows a tenant (sharecropper) to use their land in return for a share of the crops produced on that land. The system developed in Georgia and throughout the South following Reconstruction and lasted until the mid-20th century.
After the Civil War, financially distressed landowners could rent land to sharecroppers, often formerly enslaved African Americans, to secure their debt and labour. However, they would often evict these sharecroppers just before the harvest, and the Southern courts rarely ruled in favour of Black sharecroppers against white landowners.
The sharecropping system was pitched as a solution for both landowners and formerly enslaved people. It put an end to work under an overseer, incentivized a high crop yield, and allowed freedmen to exercise their newfound freedom of mobility. However, it also helped to ensure that the South's economy became almost entirely dependent on cotton, and kept Black workers within the agricultural sector, often on the same land where they had been held captive.
Under a sharecropping agreement, landowners provide land and other necessities such as housing, tools, seed, or working animals. Local merchants provide food and other supplies to the sharecropper on credit. In exchange for the land and supplies, the cropper pays the owner a share of the crop at the end of the season, typically one-half to two-thirds. The particulars of sharecropping agreements differed from place to place and over time, but generally, they overwhelmingly favoured the landlord.
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The impact of sharecropping on racial inequality
Sharecropping is a legal arrangement in which a landowner allows a tenant (sharecropper) to use their land in return for a share of the crops produced on that land. This system was pitched as a solution for both landowners and formerly enslaved people, as it put an end to work under an overseer, and it gave the latter land ownership by proxy. However, sharecropping was fundamentally a system of domination that helped perpetuate racial inequality.
Firstly, sharecropping kept Black workers stagnant and hindered their economic advancement. The system was organised to keep Black farmers from achieving economic or social mobility. Black sharecroppers were monitored by white superintendents, who were paid from crop yields, and they were prohibited from selling crops without notifying the landowner and having a superintendent present. The sharecropping contract also allowed for undefined "gross misconduct" to be determined by the landowner, which could result in tenants forfeiting their share of crops.
Secondly, sharecropping kept Black Southerners impoverished. Sharecroppers rarely had cash, so they were extended credit to make purchases, which created a system of economic dependence and poverty. The landowners set the worth of the crop, and sharecroppers often had to sell their share of the crop straight back to the landowner or a local merchant, accruing debt in the process.
Thirdly, sharecropping kept Black people in a state of fear and violence. Black people who challenged this system faced threats, violence, and even murder. They were banned from the democratic process and prevented from electing officials to represent their interests.
Finally, sharecropping kept the South's economy dependent on a single crop—cotton. This meant that an increasing number of Southerners, both White and Black, became tenant farmers, working as labourers on land they did not own.
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The role of merchants in sharecropping
Sharecropping is a legal arrangement in which a landowner allows a tenant (sharecropper) to use their land in return for a share of the crops produced on that land. It is not the same as tenant farming, which gives the tenant more autonomy and a higher economic and social status.
Under a sharecropping agreement, landowners provide land and other necessities such as housing, tools, seeds, or working animals. Local merchants play a crucial role in sharecropping by providing food and other supplies to the sharecropper on credit. In exchange for the land and supplies, the cropper pays the owner a share of the crop at the end of the season, typically one-half to two-thirds. The cropper then uses their share to pay off their debt to the merchant.
In the fall, after harvesting the crop, landowners gave the workers their shares of the crop, often forcing the croppers to sell it straight to either the local furnishing agent or merchant, or even to the landowners themselves. With whatever cash the laborers made in this sale, they attempted to pay back the debt accrued during the season from the supplier. This exchange was notorious for permitting landowners, creditors, and cotton buyers to defraud farmers.
A new system of credit, the crop lien, became closely associated with sharecropping. Under this system, a planter or merchant extended a line of credit to the sharecropper while taking the year's crop as collateral. The sharecropper could then draw food and supplies all year long. When the crop was harvested, the planter or merchant who held the lien sold the harvest for the sharecropper and settled the debt.
In summary, local merchants played a vital role in sharecropping by providing food and other supplies to sharecroppers on credit. The sharecroppers then used their share of the crop to pay off their debts to the merchants. The crop lien system further solidified the role of merchants in sharecropping, as they extended credit to sharecroppers and settled debts at the end of the season.
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The decline of sharecropping
Economic Factors
Economic factors played a significant role in the decline of sharecropping. The Great Depression in the 1930s and the subsequent mechanization of farm work made sharecropping less viable. With the economic downturn, many small farms failed, leading to an increase in tenant farmers and sharecroppers. However, as mechanization became more economical in the late 1930s and early 1940s, landowners could perform farm work more efficiently without relying on sharecroppers. This resulted in sharecroppers being forced off the farms, causing them to migrate to cities or become migrant workers.
Social Factors
Social factors, particularly the Civil Rights Movement, contributed to the decline of sharecropping. Sharecropping had kept most Black Southerners impoverished and dependent on White landowners for decades after the abolition of slavery. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s directly challenged the Jim Crow laws and state-sanctioned violence against Black people. The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968, along with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, played a crucial role in dismantling de jure segregation and empowering Black Southerners to exercise their right to vote. These legal changes weakened the broader agenda of White Supremacy and improved socioeconomic opportunities for African Americans.
Legal Factors
Legal changes also contributed to the decline of sharecropping. In the 1930s, sharecroppers began organizing for better working rights, and the integrated Southern Tenant Farmers Union gained power. This union made significant gains for sharecroppers, improving their working conditions. Additionally, laws favoring landowners, such as those that restricted sharecroppers from selling their crops to anyone other than their landlords or prevented them from moving if they were indebted, became less prevalent. These legal changes reduced the control that landowners had over sharecroppers and made the practice less appealing to both parties.
Agricultural Changes
Changes in agriculture, specifically in South Africa, also contributed to the decline of sharecropping. In the 1960s, generous subsidies were provided to white farmers, enabling them to afford working their entire farms. As a result, sharecropping faded out in South Africa. However, it is important to note that sharecropping has reappeared in other African countries, such as Ghana and Zimbabwe, in modern times.
Alternatives to Sharecropping
The emergence of alternatives to sharecropping, such as decentralized sharecropping and tenant farming, also contributed to its decline. Decentralized sharecropping involves scattered plots of land, where peasants manage their labor, and landowners are not directly involved in crop production. Tenant farming, on the other hand, provides tenants with greater autonomy and a higher economic and social status. These alternatives offered more favorable arrangements for laborers, reducing the appeal of sharecropping.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, sharecroppers sometimes paid landowners in cash, but this was often a combination of cash and a share of their crops.
Tenant farming was an alternative to sharecropping. Tenant farmers rented land from a large-scale farm and owned their equipment and supplies.
Sharecropping was beneficial to landowners as it did not require them to pay cash wages. It also allowed them to avoid administrative costs and shirking that occurred on plantations.
Sharecroppers grew cash crops such as tobacco, cotton, and wheat.
No, sharecroppers did not own the land they worked on. They rented small plots of land from landowners.
