Sharecropper: meaning, definitions and examples

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sharecropper

 

[ ˈʃɛrˌkrɒpər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

agriculture, labor

A sharecropper is a farmer, typically a tenant, who works land owned by someone else, in exchange for a share of the crops produced. This system emerged mainly in the Southern United States after the Civil War, as a means for landowners to maintain their agricultural production without having to pay cash wages. Sharecroppers often faced many hardships, including debt and exploitation, as they were usually provided with inadequate supplies and had to purchase goods at inflated prices from their landlords or local stores. This arrangement often resulted in continued poverty and cycles of debt for sharecroppers, many of whom were African Americans.

Synonyms

agricultural worker, renter, tenant farmer.

Examples of usage

  • The sharecropper worked tirelessly in the cotton fields.
  • After the Civil War, many became sharecroppers to survive.
  • The sharecropper's life was fraught with challenges.

Translations

Translations of the word "sharecropper" in other languages:

🇵🇹 meio-funcionário

🇮🇳 किसान

🇩🇪 Pachtbauer

🇮🇩 petani sewa

🇺🇦 орендар

🇵🇱 poddzierżawca

🇯🇵 小作農

🇫🇷 métayer

🇪🇸 arrendatario

🇹🇷 kiracı çiftçi

🇰🇷 소작농

🇸🇦 مزارع مستأجر

🇨🇿 podílník

🇸🇰 podílnický rolník

🇨🇳 佃农

🇸🇮 delniški kmet

🇮🇸 hlutdeildarbændur

🇰🇿 жалдамалы фермер

🇬🇪 ქირავნული ფერმერი

🇦🇿 icarəçi fermer

🇲🇽 agricultor arrendatario

Etymology

The term 'sharecropper' emerged in the late 19th century, specifically in the context of the United States during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War. As plantation owners lost their labor force due to the emancipation of enslaved people, they sought new economic arrangements to cultivate their lands. Sharecropping became a solution; landowners would allow tenants to farm their land in exchange for a portion of the crop yield. This system reflected the complexities of post-war society, as it often perpetuated economic dependence. The sharecropping system was characterized by its informal agreements, many of which were exploitative in nature, further entrenching socio-economic inequalities. The practice became widespread, particularly in the South, promoting a cycle of poverty that affected generations of families. By understanding this history, one can appreciate the impact that sharecropping had on the agricultural landscape as well as the social fabric of rural America.