Harriett Beecher Stowe and Uncle Tom's Cabin Essay Example

“The past, the present, and the future are really one: they are today.” Harriet Beecher Stowe was an abolitionist and author who believed in changing the future by influencing the present. As an author, she had written one of the most impactful and influential books in the Civil War era, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Stowe was a good and moral person, trying to influence and convince others that slavery was immoral and against Christian beliefs. However, her book had increased tension between the North and the South.

When Harriet Beecher Stowe was growing up, she was introduced to a constant milieu of learning and good morality. Her family was fairly well-known and prestigious, encouraging her to be in a niche of academics. Even as an adult, Stowe was always surrounded with encouragement and knowledge, especially after meeting Calvin Ellis Stowe, a seminary professor, and her husband. Stowe took part in academics, learning at her sister’s school in Hartford, Connecticut, and being a part of the school life when she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. She was an author and wrote multiple books due to her interest in writing and learning; Uncle Tom’s Cabin was not the only book she wrote. One of the early books Stowe had written was The Mayflower which spoke about the pilgrims and descendants of the pilgrims, published in 1843. Stowe was very knowledgeable because of her years in education, being able to touch many hearts with her books.  

Stowe had lived in Cincinnati for eighteen years. Living in Cincinnati had allowed any fugitive slaves to be able to get in contact with Stowe since the only thing separating her and the slave-holding community was the Ohio River. Stowe would come in contact with runaway slaves and learn about the rough life that slaves had from the stories she was told, being inspired to tell others about the unfair treatment that was given to them. Stowe had always believed that slavery was wrong, growing up with good morals and being a Christian, but hearing the tale from real in-person fugitives inclined her to formally speak against this. After she and her husband moved to Brunswick, Maine, Stowe began writing and speaking against slavery. 

Uncle Tom’s Cabin was written with information based on Stowe’s experiences with fugitive slaves and her readings into abolitionist literature. Her story was originally published in anti-slavery papers, such as The National Era, in 1851. Eventually, in 1852, Stowe’s book was published formally in book form and sold extremely well, selling about 300,000 copies within the first year of release. Abolitionists bought it quickly, while the pro-slavery side held it in disdain and didn’t support it. Her story was translated into many languages around the world and was dramatized, as well, sometimes without Stowe’s permission. Uncle Tom’s Cabin wasn’t the only anti-slavery book she wrote, writing A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which included documents and details of the life in slavery, and Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp, speaking about society on a slave basis and its deterioration. She reached many through her tales but also increased the tensions in the North and South.

The increased tensions in the United States, caused by Uncle Tom’s Cabin, caused the country to be more on edge and the South on the brink of seceding. Uncle Tom’s Cabin led the North’s stance to be more solidified, trying to persuade the South into having anti-slavery beliefs. The South’s stance solidified as well because they felt as if their lifestyle was being attacked since their agricultural economy depended on slavery. The North and South kept realizing how different they were. With the North and South having completely different political views on tariffs, slavery, and economies, they were ready to split. Lincoln being pictured as completely anti-slavery, even when he was a Free-Soiler, convinced the South to secede when he was voted president. Although it wasn’t the only factor contributing to the Civil War, Uncle Tom’s Cabin played a huge part in the abolitionist movement and strained the country more.

Harriet Beecher Stowe played a huge part in the abolitionist movement and wanted to end slavery. She had good morals and dedication to do what was right. She would help fugitive slaves who would come in contact with her in Cincinnati. When she realized how slaves were being treated, she spoke out against it and created an impact on the world today. Stowe brought many to the abolitionist movement and opened many people’s eyes; she convinced people to become anti-slavery. Stowe wanted to help others and touch hearts, reaching people outside of America as well. In the long run, Harriet Beecher Stowe brought many people to the abolitionist movement and helped bring slavery to an end.