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Black Americans’ Landholdings and Economic Mobility after Emancipation: Evidence from the Census of Agriculture and Linked Records

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  • Collins, William J.
  • Holtkamp, Nicholas
  • Wanamaker, Marianne H.

Abstract

Large and persistent racial disparities in land-based wealth were an important legacy of the Reconstruction era. To assess how these disparities were transmitted intergenerationally, we build a dataset to observe Black households’ landholdings in 1880 alongside a sample of White households. We then link sons from all households to the 1900 census records to observe their economic and human capital outcomes. We show that Black landowners, relative to laborers, transmitted substantial intergenerational advantages to their sons, particularly in literacy and homeownership. However, such advantages were small relative to the racial gaps in measures of economic status.

Suggested Citation

  • Collins, William J. & Holtkamp, Nicholas & Wanamaker, Marianne H., 2024. "Black Americans’ Landholdings and Economic Mobility after Emancipation: Evidence from the Census of Agriculture and Linked Records," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 84(4), pages 963-996, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:84:y:2024:i:4:p:963-996_1
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