Understanding Sharecropping: Processing Activity

Sharecropping is an agricultural system that emerged after the American Civil War in the late 19th century. It was prevalent in the southern United States, particularly in the rural areas where the plantation system had previously dominated. Under sharecropping, landowners would allow farmers, typically former slaves or poor white farmers, to work their land in exchange for a share of the crops produced. The landowner would provide the necessary land, seeds, tools, and sometimes even housing for the sharecroppers. At the end of the harvest, the crops would be divided between the landowner and the sharecropper, with the sharecropper receiving a portion, usually around half, of the crop. Sharecropping was essentially a form of agricultural labor contract. However, it often led to a cycle of poverty and debt for sharecroppers. Since they did not own the land they cultivated, they had limited control over their own economic destiny. They often had to borrow money or supplies from the landowner, creating a system of indebtedness that was difficult to escape. Furthermore, the sharecroppers had little say in the choice of crops or the marketing of their harvest. Landowners would often dictate the type of crops to be grown, which were usually cash crops such as cotton or tobacco. The sharecroppers' lack of control over their economic circumstances and the volatile nature of agricultural markets made it challenging for them to break free from poverty.

This historical simulation provides students with a deep understanding behind the system of sharecropping. The main idea behind this simulation is to show students how skewed the relationship between the sharecropper and landowner was after the Civil War. Students will gain an insight into the way sharecroppers paid for debts, and how many of them were forced to work in order to pay off those debts

Presentation

Student worksheet

Teacher instructions