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.