Which best describes the benefits of sharecropping in southern states following the civil war? a) sharecropping proved to be very effective in giving "40 acres and a mule" to all former slaves. b) sharecropping allowed the federal government to equally divide land between freed slaves and landowners. c) sharecropping gave freed slaves a chance to earn a living and gave landowners a much needed labor force. d) sharecropping made it possible for southern states to freely trade various agricultural products without taxes.