In both the sharecropping system and crop-lien system, many farmers in the late 1800s

Both systems often left farmers owing money. Sharecroppers gave landlords a portion of their crop but could still owe for supplies or rent, while crop-lien farmers borrowed against future harvests and faced high interest. Poor harvests or low crop prices made it difficult to repay these debts, so many farmers eventually fell into debt.

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