Sharecropping

Ulysses Simpson Grant

Summary and Definition of Sharecropping
Definition and Summary: Sharecropping is system of working land owned by others for a share of the yield. The sharecropping and tenant farming system became widespread following the Civil War during the period of Reconstruction. The plantation system had depended on slave labor. After the Civil War the slaves gained their freedom and plantation owners had ample land but little money for wages to pay people to raise the crops. At the same time the former slaves who were mainly uneducated needed farming related work. The sharecropping system of farming provided the solution and solved the problem. The sharecroppers provided the labor the plantation, and the farm owners, provided everything else - at a price.

Sharecropping and Tenant Farming for kids
Ulysses Grant was the 18th American President who served in office from March 4, 1869 to March 4, 1877. One of the important events during his presidency was the Sharecropping and tenant farming system.

     
   

Sharecropping Facts for kids
Interesting Sharecropping facts for kids are detailed below. The history of Sharecropping is told in a factual sequence consisting of a series of short facts providing a simple method of relating the history and events of the Sharecropping.

Tenant Farming and Sharecropping Facts for kids

Sharecropping Fact 1: The sharecropping system was initially used by former slaves but poor white people also became sharecroppers. The Civil War had left many people without money or land - but they did have the skills to grow crops.

Sharecropping Fact 2: The system of tenant farming was suited to the Cash Crops such as cotton, indigo, sugar and tobacco in which surplus crops were sold at a profit.
Sharecropping Fact 3: The plantation landlord owned the land, cabins, the tools and equipment, the animals and the seeds to grow the crops.

Sharecropping Fact 4: The impoverished sharecroppers and tenant farmers owned nothing - everything was rented from the land and plantation owners.

Sharecropping Fact 5: The land owners often advanced the sharecropper families credit to meet their living expenses - interest was often charged on the loans.

Sharecropping Fact 6: Under the tenant farming system the Plantation landowners divided the farms and plantations into 20 - 50 acre plots that were suitable for a single family of sharecroppers to farm. In exchange for the use of land, a cabin, tools and supplies, sharecroppers agreed to raise a cash crop and give a share, usually 50 percent, of the crop to their landlord.

Sharecropping Fact 7: The sharecroppers had to sign a contract to agree to the terms of the landlord. The uneducated sharecroppers were often unable to read the contracts, which often included clauses in which the tenant farmers agreed to pay exorbitant interest rates - some of which were as high as 70%

Sharecropping Fact 8: In return for their work the sharecroppers and tenant farmers received a share (usually half) of the money made from selling the crops. However the terms of the contracts kept the sharecroppers in continued poverty from which there was easy means of no escape

Sharecropping Fact 9: Monies were deducted from the tenant farmers share. All debts and interest had to be repaid and the cost of the seed and any other expenses such as tools and rent were deducted.

Sharecropping Fact 10: Contracts included a 'get out' clause in which the landlords were entitled to evict the sharecroppers if they were unable to work due to sickness

Continued...

Tenant Farming and Sharecropping Facts for kids

Sharecropping - Racial Discrimination and Segregation
For additional facts about racial discrimination and segregation refer to detailed information on Black Segregation History and for brief, fast facts refer to the Segregation History Timeline. Our article on Black Populism tells the history of the African American farmers in the South.

Sharecropping
The info about the Sharecropping provides interesting facts and important information about this important event that occured during the presidency of the 18th President of the United States of America.

Sharecropping Facts for kids
Interesting history and the Sharecropping Facts for kids are continued below.

Sharecropping Facts for kids

Sharecropping Fact 11: The land owners were in charge of selling the crops and keeping accounts and records of any debts owed by the sharecropper. Sharecroppers and tenant framers had no control over which crops were planted or how the crops were sold.

Sharecropping Fact 12: The people who had no option but to work under this system had a hard life under the strictly enforced labor conditions of the landlords. The system resulted in a low standard of living for the tenant farmers and no hope of escaping the poverty trap.

Sharecropping Fact 13: In many cases, unfair contracts and unscrupulous landlords simply replaced the institution of slavery with the new scheme .

Sharecropping Fact 14: In some areas in the South the system of sharecropping and tenant farmers persisted into the 1940's.

Sharecropping Facts for kids

Black History for kids: Important People and Events
For visitors interested in African American History refer to Black History - People and Events. A useful resource  for teachers, kids, schools and colleges undertaking projects for the Black History Month.

Sharecropping - President Ulysses Grant Video
The article on the Sharecropping and tenant farmers provides an overview of one of the important events of his presidential term in office. The following Ulysses Grant video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 18th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1869 to March 4, 1877.

Sharecropping and Tenant Farmers

● Interesting Facts about Sharecroppers for kids and schools
● Definition of Sharecropping in US history
● Facts about the Sharecroppers and tenant farmers
● Ulysses Grant Presidency from March 4, 1869 to March 4, 1877
● Fast, fun, interesting facts about the sharecroppers
● Domestic policies of President Ulysses Grant
● Ulysses Grant Presidency and the sharecroppers and tenant farmers for schools, homework, kids and children

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