“Is this the little woman who fought this great war?” Lincoln said while greeting famous author Harriet Beecher Stowe. This abolitionist writer created her famous novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, in response to the Fugitive Slave Law and slavery politics in the South. Some Americans even believed that Stowe and his book led to the Civil War (Reynolds). Because of this, Harriet needed a way to attract more citizens to the anti-slavery cause. With her book, Stowe showed everyone the truth about slavery, even if not everyone agreed with her. Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin left its mark on many 19th-century Americans, helping to strengthen the abolitionist movement, but it divided the nation. The popularity of Uncle Tom's Cabin during the 1850s contributed to the growing strength of the fight against slavery in general. By turns sentimental and realistic, Harriet's story appealed strongly to 19th-century readers. As stated by McGuire, Uncle Tom's Cabin was the first book by an American author to have an African American as its main protagonist. How did this little novel become so famous? “Stowe knew how to appeal to a large audience. He skillfully used images from virtually every cultural realm – including religion, sensational pulp fiction, and popular entertainment – ​​and brought them together into memorable characters and two compelling anti-slavery plots” (Reynolds). Perhaps these were the reasons why the book sold more than 300,000 copies in the first year, as stated by McGuire. In 1852, Uncle Tom's Cabin broke all previous sales records for American novels (Goldner). As soon as word got out about this upcoming new story, almost every anti-slavery advocate wanted to read it! In 1852 Literacy... in the center of the card... will be crucial in American history during the Civil War. Harriet Beecher Stowe imprinted the minds of Americans and left a worldwide legacy that would last centuries. Works Cited Bragg, Melvyn, perf. "Uncle Tom." prod. Natasha Maw. In our time. BBC: 08 06 06. Radio.Goldner, Ellen J. “Arguing with Images: Race, Class, and the Making of Popular Abolitionism through Uncle Tom's Cabin.” Journal of American & Comparative Cultures 24.1/2 (2001): 71-84. Elite academic research. Network. January 23, 2014. McGuire, William and Leslie Wheeler. "Harriet Beecher Stowe." American History.ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. January 23, 2014Reynolds, David S. "1852: Did a Novel Start the Civil War? Published 160 years ago, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe fascinated and bitterly divided the 'America." New York Times Upfront, January 2, 2012: 24+. Global issues in context.Web. January 23. 2014.