Sharecropping in Reconstruction America
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This worksheet explores different interpretations of sharecropping during the Reconstruction era, encouraging students to compare historian views and evaluate their perspectives.
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Sharecropping in Reconstruction America
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Interpretations of Sharecropping in Reconstruction
Historian A: Eric Foner – Economic Perspective "Eric Foner argues that sharecropping was a necessary compromise during Reconstruction. It allowed formerly enslaved people and poor farmers to work the land and gain some economic independence, albeit limited. Foner emphasizes that sharecropping was a pragmatic solution to the economic challenges faced during the period, helping to rebuild the Southern economy and provide employment opportunities. Despite its flaws, Foner views sharecropping as an important step towards economic recovery and black economic participation."
Historian B: W.E.B. Du Bois – Social Perspective "W.E.B. Du Bois contends that sharecropping was an exploitative system that perpetuated racial and economic inequality. He argues it kept African Americans in a cycle of poverty and dependence, with landowners gaining disproportionate power over workers. Du Bois sees sharecropping as part of a broader system of racial oppression that limited African Americans' social and political progress during Reconstruction, preventing true freedom and equality."
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- Created
- 1/1/2026
- Updated
- 1/1/2026
- Type
- worksheet