Sharecropped: meaning, definitions and examples
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sharecropped
[ ˈʃɛrˌkrɒpt ]
farming arrangement
Sharecropped refers to a system where a farmer (the sharecropper) cultivates land owned by another person in exchange for a share of the crop produced. This practice was particularly common in the southern United States after the Civil War, as it provided a means for poor farmers, often recently freed slaves, to earn a living while lacking access to their own land. Sharecroppers typically faced economic challenges, as they often ended up in debt to landowners.
Synonyms
cultivated, farm labor, tenant farming.
Examples of usage
- After the Civil War, many African American families sharecropped.
- The family sharecropped for several years before saving enough money to buy their own farm.
- In the South, sharecropping became a common practice among poor farmers.
Translations
Translations of the word "sharecropped" in other languages:
🇵🇹 arrendado
🇮🇳 साझा खेती की गई
🇩🇪 Pachtanbau
🇮🇩 sewa lahan
🇺🇦 пайова система
🇵🇱 dzierżawiony
🇯🇵 小作農
🇫🇷 partage des récoltes
🇪🇸 cultivo compartido
🇹🇷 paylaşım tarımı
🇰🇷 소작
🇸🇦 زراعة مشتركة
🇨🇿 pachtovaný
🇸🇰 podielová poľnohospodárska činnosť
🇨🇳 租佃
🇸🇮 delitev pridelka
🇮🇸 hlutdeildar ræktun
🇰🇿 жалға алынған
🇬🇪 ქირავნობა
🇦🇿 icarəyə götürülmüş
🇲🇽 cultivo compartido
Etymology
The term 'sharecrop' emerged in the United States during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War. It combines 'share', denoting a portion of the crop, and 'crop', which refers to cultivated plants. This arrangement often arose from the economic conditions of freed slaves who sought employment and independence but lacked land ownership. Sharecropping allowed landlords to utilize their land while providing laborers with an opportunity to farm. However, this system frequently led to exploitation and perpetuated cycles of poverty, as many sharecroppers fell into debt due to high rents or poor harvests. Over time, sharecropping became associated with the struggles for economic equality in the South.