What was the condition of most southern farmers by 1880?

By 1880, most southern farmers were struggling economically, largely due to the aftermath of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Many had transitioned to sharecropping or tenant farming, which often left them in cycles of debt and poverty. The cotton economy remained dominant, but fluctuating prices and poor soil conditions compounded their difficulties. Overall, these factors contributed to widespread economic hardship and a lack of social mobility for many southern agricultural workers.