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The share cropping system began to decline in the 20th century, especially by the 1910s. It continued to be important, however into the Great Depression of the 1930s. We note both white and black share croppers. We do not yet have details on the number of share croppers and the racial distribution. And although rarely mentioned by progressive-minded historians, the reason was largely America's free market system. This worked in a variety of ways.
First, many blacks were drawn north by the relative freedom and job opportunities generated by industrialization and the capitalist economy in large northern cities, This began after the turn of the 20th century and was fueled by World War I (1914-18). This would lead to the Great Migration.
Second, America farms were becoming more mechanized. Machinery meant that fewer farm workers were needed. There was a degree of farm mechanization in the late-19th century. This began (1880s), but it was not until Henry Ford came out with the Fordson tractors igniting competition in the tractor market that large numbers of family farmers began acquiring tractors (1917). Ford had a special interest in tractors because he remembered back-breaking work as a youth on the farm. The first mechanical cotton harvester appeared (1897), but it was far from ideal. It would take some time before the Rust Brothers and International Harvester began producing effective machines (1930s-40s). Share cropping was not limited to cotton, but cotton was the major crop associated with it. It is part of the reason that share cropping was primarily found in the South.
Third, was World War II (1939-45). World War I was a factor, but World War II was much more important. The War created good paying jobs in factories all over the country. Cropper families black and white sought those jobs, both in southern cities and the North.
Fourth, was the Civil Rights movement, but by the time it was really significant, share cropping had already disappeared.
Fifth, was an expanding new system of migratory farm labor.
Sixth, there was a depletion in cotton crop production. A factor here was that cotton is a very demanding crop and can leach out the minerals in the soil over time if not effectively managed.
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