Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: historical jurisprudence
Sharecropping: A way of farming where a landowner lets someone else use their land to grow crops. The person who uses the land gives some of the crops to the landowner as payment. The landowner usually provides the things needed to grow the crops, like seeds and tools. The person who uses the land is called a sharecropper.
Definition: Sharecropping is an agricultural system where a landowner rents out their land to a tenant who then gives a portion of the crop as rent. The landlord usually provides the seed, fertilizer, and equipment.
Example: Farmer John owns a large piece of land but doesn't have the resources to farm it himself. He decides to rent it out to a tenant, Mary, who agrees to sharecrop. John provides Mary with the seed, fertilizer, and equipment needed to grow the crops. At the end of the season, Mary gives John a portion of the crop as rent.
Explanation: This example illustrates the sharecropping system where a landowner leases their land to a tenant who gives a portion of the crop as rent. The landlord provides the necessary resources for the tenant to grow the crops, and the tenant is responsible for the labor. This system was common in the United States after the Civil War, particularly in the South, where many former slaves became sharecroppers.