feb 1, 1870 - African Americans Adjusting to Freedom: Sharecropping

Description:

Since landowners lost their slaves, which was their labor force, the agricultural economy was in turmoil. They tried to force former slaves into signing a contract to work in the fields, but this was similar to slavery. White owners adopted a system based on sharecropping, in which the landlord gave farm supplies and seeds in return for a share of the harvest. This gave an opportunity for poor white people to work and they were usually dependent on the landowners.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: