Sharecropping is an agricultural system where a landowner allows a tenant to use their land in exchange for a share of the crops produced. This arrangement often arose in the Southern United States after the Civil War, as many formerly enslaved people sought work and land. Sharecroppers typically provided labor and farming skills, while landowners supplied land, tools, and seeds. The sharecropping system often led to a cycle of debt for the tenants. They would borrow money for supplies and end up giving a large portion of their harvest to the landowner, making it difficult to achieve financial independence. This practice contributed to economic challenges in the region and perpetuated poverty among many African American families.