The Crop-Lien System was a credit system used in the southern United States during the late 19th century, particularly after the Civil War. It allowed farmers, often sharecroppers, to borrow money or supplies from merchants in exchange for a lien on their future crops. This meant that the merchants had a legal claim to a portion of the crops once harvested, which served as collateral for the loans. This system often led to a cycle of debt for farmers, as they struggled to pay off loans with the limited profits from their crops. The reliance on the Crop-Lien System contributed to economic difficulties for many agricultural families and perpetuated poverty in the region.