The absence of cash or an independent credit system led to the creation of sharecropping. ... Laws favoring landowners made it difficult or even illegal for sharecroppers to sell their crops to others besides their landlord, or prevented sharecroppers from moving if they were indebted to their landlord.
American colonists have used the words of Jefferson to defend their right to get independence from Great Britain.
Blacks affected by slavery and who faced discrimination because of their race have often reechoed Jefferson's words in their fight against discrimination. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr in his famous letter written from Birmingham City Jail included Jefferson's statements about "all men are created equal...".
Some right groups have also used Jefferson's words to gain equal treatment in society.
