Page 115 – right side
Your Life as a Sharecropper 1872 to 1874
1872: The Civil War and Reconstruction have changed your southern way of
life. You have tried to make it on your own but the livestock and farm
equipment you have are in poor condition. You finally have no other choice
but to become a sharecropper. You agree to share the profits from your
crops with a local landowner. Your landowner provides you with 160 acres
of land and pays to ship the crops to market. You will purchase the seeds
and livestock and provide the labor.
You begin 1872 with $1500. Make sure you keep $300 for your
annual living expenses. That means you should not spend more than $1200
on crops and livestock. You do not have to spend all of your $1200 but you
must plant all of your 160 acres. Choose how many acres to plant with a
particular crop and how many livestock to raise – in units of ten (10) only –
and calculate each cost. This year, you must have at least ten (10) of each
crop or animal. Livestock does not count towards your 160 acres.
After you have planted all 160 acres and purchased your livestock,
multiply your total costs by the returns announced by the teacher to
calculate profits.
Remember that as a sharecropper, you keep half of the profit and
give the other half to the landowner. Your two main goals are to provide
for your family and make as much money for you and your landowner as
possible.
Don’t forget to fill in & read every single box!!
Respond to this prompt on page 119 after
completing 1874.
You started with $1500 in 1872. Describe
your sharecropping experience over the past
three (3) years. Would you recommend
sharecropping? Why or why not? How does
sharecropping compare to slavery?
Page 116 – left side
1873: This year, you must still plant all 160 acres. But you only have to plant
10 acres of cash crops & raise 10 of one type of animal. Remember,
Livestock does not count towards your 160 acres. Use the knowledge
gained from your experience, returns, and profits last year to maximize your
profits and keep your family fed this year.
Page 117 –
right side
1874: With the way things are going, just make sure you plant all 160 acres
this year; you don’t have to raise any animals. Remember, Livestock does
not count towards your 160 acres. Use the knowledge gained from your
experience, returns, and profits the last two years to maximize your profits
and keep your family fed this year.
Page 118 –
left side