Sharecropping

Sharecropping offered more independence than slavery, but families often borrowed for seeds, tools and supplies. After the landowner's share and debts were deducted, little might remain. Poor harvests and unfair accounting could trap families in continuing debt.

Sharecropping became an important alternative. A family farmed land belonging to someone else and paid rent with a share of its harvest. This offered access to land, but the family did not own the farm and had to surrender part of what it produced.