Sharecropping

sharecropping

• Began after the Civil War when slaves were freed (early 1870s)
• Occurred in an era called Reconstruction
• Replaced the plantation system that was based on slavery
• Landowners allowed former slaves to work their land for 1/2 of the crops
• One of few options for work after the war

40 acres and a mule

•  William Tecumseh Sherman promised former slaves land
• Resulted from Special Field Orders, No. 15
• Applied to former slaves living in S.C., GA, and FL
• Compensation for work slaves did during slavery

Freedman's Bureau

• Helped former slaves and refugees, especially those who refused the system
• Handled abandoned land 
• Supervised labor contracts

Life of a sharecropper

• Tenants lived on landowner's property
•  Bought food and clothing from landowner
• Landowner provided tools for growning and harvesting
• After crop was harvested, tenants usually received 1/2 of the proceeds 

Debts from sharecropping

• Families were in debt from unpredictable harvests
• Landowners did not always divide profits equally
• High interest rates
• Laborers were illiterate and couldn't keep records

Effects

• Landowners benefited while African-Americans struggled 
• African-Americans were forced to continue working until all debts were paid
• Landowners controlled tenants during working and non-working hours
• Families were forced to sign unfair contracts
• Poor management and illnesses

Sharecroppers per Ethnicity

Working/Living Conditons

• Worked hard
• Received low pay and wages
• Rarely had profits after harvest
• Treated unfairly

Unions

• Unions formed as a result of sharecropping
• Southern Tenant Farmer's Union in Tyronza, AR
• STFU goal was to ensure equal pay to sharecroppers 
• Attacks made it difficult to set up bases

Sharecropping falls

• Families moved to northern cities in 1940s
• Industrial jobs were better than sharecropping
• About 6 million escaped by train and bus
• Technology advancements allowed landowners fewer workers
• Falling cotton prices and a slowing demand