"Uncle Tom's Cabin," written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and published in 1852, raised several critical issues that further divided the nation along sectional lines and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. Some of the central issues highlighted in the novel include:
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Slavery and Human Rights: The book graphically depicts the inhumanity of slavery, illustrating the suffering of enslaved individuals and the moral dilemmas surrounding the institution. This portrayal galvanized anti-slavery sentiment in the North.
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The Fugitive Slave Act: The novel addresses the implications of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which forced citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves. It raised tensions as abolitionists resisted the law, leading to conflict between free states and slave states.
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Racial Prejudice and Stereotypes: Stowe's characters address the widespread racial prejudices of the time. The contrasting portrayals of enslaved characters and their white counterparts illustrated societal issues related to race relations.
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Southern Justification of Slavery: The novel also critiques the arguments made by pro-slavery advocates, exposing the moral and ethical contradictions of their justifications for the institution.
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Emotional Appeal: The emotional narrative and connection the novel fostered among its readers highlighted the human cost of slavery, further igniting abolitionist fervor in the North and resentment in the South.
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Regional Identity and Conflict: "Uncle Tom's Cabin" contributed to the growing sectional divide by solidifying Northern views against slavery and reinforcing Southern identity as a land of slavery, thereby increasing tensions between the two regions.
Overall, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" became a significant cultural force that influenced public opinion and played a crucial role in the lead-up to the Civil War.
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