"Uncle Tom's Cabin" was first serialized in a weekly abolitionist paper called 'The National Era' and published as a novel in 1852.

Facts about Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
The following fact sheet contains interesting facts and information on Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin?
Uncle Tom's Cabin was an anti-slavery novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The original title was 'Life Among the Lowly'.

When did Harriet Beecher Stowe write Uncle Tom's Cabin?
Uncle Tom's Cabin was by Harriet Beecher Stowe between 1850-1852.  Uncle Tom’s Cabin was developed from June 1851 to April 1852 as a series of regular installments in a Washington, DC, abolitionist weekly paper called The National Era, whose editor was Gamaliel Bailey. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was then published as a two volume novel by John P. Jewett and Company of Cleveland Ohio on March 20, 1852. The book became a best seller and the story of Uncle Tom's Cabin was dramatization by G. L. Aiken and the play was staged at the National Theatre in the summer of 1853.

Uncle Tom's Cabin for kids: Anti-slavery Propaganda
Anti-slavery propaganda by journalists, authors and illustrators was one of the methods used by the 1830 Abolitionist Movement who wanted to abolish slavery.

Uncle Tom's Cabin for kids: The Underground Railway
The Underground Railroad had been established in1832 to provided money, clothes, transport and safe houses to facilitate the escape of slaves from their harsh lives of unpaid toil in the southern plantations.

Why did Harriet Beecher Stowe write Uncle Tom's Cabin?
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin following the passing of a more stringent Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act was passed on September 18, 1850, was part of the Compromise of 1850 and included as a concession to the South, increasing penalties against fugitive slaves and the people who helped them. The penalties for helping slaves were increased to $1000 and six months in jail.

Who are the Main Characters in Uncle Tom's Cabin?
A short summary and overview of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" are detailed via Uncle Tom's Cabin Summary. Who are the main characters in Uncle Tom's Cabin? The main characters who feature in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" are Uncle Tom (slave), Simon Legree (vicious slave owner), Eva St. Clare (angelic white girl), Miss Ophelia (bigoted white woman), Arthur Shelby (kindly slave owner), George Shelby (Abolitionist), Augustine St. Clare (kind slave owner), Topsy (slave), Cassy (slave) and Eliza (slave). Harriet Beecher Stowe also provides and example of the 'Hiring-out system' in which Tom's wife goes to work for a baker in order to raise the money to buy Uncle Tom back.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe was a social reformer who advocated the rights of slaves and believed in the rights of women. She was also extremely religious and the ideals of the Christian faith are reflected by her evangelical fervor in the story of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Harriet Beecher Stowe was a gifted writer and readers of her work were moved to tears by the tales of cruelty towards the characters who were featured in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and the impact of slavery on families. However, the book was balanced and it presented some of the favorable aspects of slavery and the kindness of some slave owners, but it also crystallized the sentiments of the North.

The Effect of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Fugitive Slave Law convinced the people of the North that bounds must be set to the extension of slavery and contributed to the Causes of the Civil War. The informal, conversational writing style adopted by Harriet Beecher Stowe in Uncle Tom's Cabin personalized the political and economic arguments about slavery and enabled readers to emphasize with the plight of the slave characters. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe contributed to the outbreak of the American Civil war (1861-1865) but also changed opinions towards slavery throughout the world. President Abraham Lincoln is reported to have greeted Harriet Beecher Stowe ten years after the publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" saying  "So you're the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war." The book of Uncle Tom's Cabin was translated into sixty different languages and is still read in college and high schools exploring the history and issues of race, religion and gender.

Black History for kids: Important People and Events
For visitors interested in African American History refer to Black History - People and Events. A useful resource  for teachers, kids, schools and colleges undertaking projects for the Black History Month.