Novel Background
Civil War/Historical Information- It is said that Uncle Tom's Cabin lead to the outbreak of the Civil War. America's 16th president Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying to Mrs. Stowe,"So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War!" (Harrietbeecherstowecenter.org)
Purpose- Harriet Beecher Stowe's purpose for writing the story was to show the world what slavery was really like. After Uncle Tom's Cabin, was the first time that the American people were exposed to the evil and torture that was behind slavery. Before they had read the book, they were told "buttered-up" stories on slavery, and the people did not think slavery was nearly as bad as it truly was.
Intent- Her intent was to provide the Americans with the truth on slavery. The truth was appalling and it resulted in emotional and political impact in huge ways. The impact was so strong that the American's of the North, and the American's of the south went to a civil war to fight for what they had believed in.