what is the difference between sharecropping and tenant farming
Sharecropping is the practice in which a landowner allows a tenant to farm the land in exchange for a specified share of the crops.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharecropping
Tenant farming is the practice in which a landowner rents the land.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenant_farmer
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/T/TE009.html
Sharecropping and tenant farming are both agricultural systems that involve the use of land by individuals who do not own it. However, there are some key differences between the two:
1. Definition:
- Sharecropping: Sharecropping is a system in which a landowner allows a tenant to use their land in exchange for a share of the crops or profits.
- Tenant farming: Tenant farming is a system where a tenant pays rent to a landowner in exchange for the use of the land.
2. Economic Arrangement:
- Sharecropping: In sharecropping, the landowner typically provides the land, equipment, and sometimes even the seeds, while the tenant provides labor. The crops produced are then divided between the landowner and the tenant, usually with the landowner receiving a larger share.
- Tenant farming: In tenant farming, the tenant pays rent or a fixed sum of money to the landowner in exchange for the use of the land. The tenant is responsible for providing their own labor, equipment, seeds, and other necessary resources. The tenant usually retains the entirety of the crops or profits.
3. Relationship with the Land:
- Sharecropping: Sharecroppers have a close association with the land they work on, but they do not own it. They are often tied to the land and may have limited mobility or freedom.
- Tenant farming: Tenant farmers have a more temporary or contractual relationship with the land. They may have more control over their farming operations and may have the option to move to different land.
To get a more detailed understanding of these concepts, I would recommend further research on agricultural systems, historical contexts, and case studies that illustrate the practices and impacts of sharecropping and tenant farming.