-
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Birth
Harriet was born on June 14th, 1811, in Litchfield, Connecticut. Her parents were Lymon Beecher and Roxana Beecher. She was the sixth child out of eleven. -
The Cincinnati Riots of 1829
The riots were caused by competition for jobs between Irish immigrants and native blacks and former slaves. These riots inspired Uncle Tom's Cabin, as Harriet was inspired by the African American's emotional story. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner's Rebellion was a rebellion of slaves led by Nat Turner, killing 51-65 people. The importance of the rebellion is that it destroyed the myth circulated by southerns that slaves enjoyed being slaves. -
Lane Debates on Slavery
It was a series of debates on the topic of slavery, eventually won by abolitionists like Theodore Weld. These debates influenced Harriet, as she attended almost every one. -
Underground Railroad in Full Swing
by 1850, 100,000 slaves had escaped on the Underground Railroad. Harriet and her family was a known stop on the railroad, and often hid fugitives on the run. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Part of the Compromise of 1850, it made it illegal to aid a runaway slave and strengthened the power of slave-catchers. Furthered the tension between the north and south. -
The First Installment of Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
The installments were published weekly in a newspaper from June 5th, 1851 to April 1st, 1852. It was published in complete book form on March 20th, 1852. This book was used to spur emotional response from the north in regards to the horrid institution of slavery, as the book contained details of just how horrific slavery really was. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The act granted the states of Kansas and Nebraska the right to popular sovereignty, as it allowed them the right to choose if they would be a free state or a slave state. Led to the bloody clash known as "Bleeding Kansas". -
Dred Scott Decision
Regarded as one of the worst decisions ever of the Supreme Court, the court deemed that a slave was in fact considered property. The decision helped further hostility between the north and south. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown and his allies marched into Harper's Ferry, hoping to instigate a major slave rebellion in the south. However, this did not happen. He was captured and executed several days later. People in the north thought of him as a martyr, and this thought made southerners angry and confused beyond belief. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected
Abraham Lincoln being elected as President caused much heated hatred amidst the southern states as they believed he would abolish slavery. -
Southern States Began to Secede
The Southern States Seceded out of anger at Abraham Lincoln and their fear of him abolishing slavery. It began with South Carolina. -
Civil War Began
The Civil War began with the Battle of Fort Sumter. -
Harriet met with Abraham Lincoln
Upon meeting Harriet, Lincoln allegedly said the famous quote: "So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war!" Most historians claim this isn't true, but the statement has become a part of the book's legacy. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln, freeing the slaves in the confederate states. -
Civil War Ended
The Civil War ended with the Battle of Palmetto Ranch -
Stowe Became One of the First Editors of "Hearth and Home" Magazine
"Hearth and Home" was one of the first magazines appealing towards women. Stowe used this platform to campaign for women's rights--specifically married women's rights. -
Harriet helped found Hartford Art School
Harriet, unlike many women of her time, was a formally educated woman and used her influence to do many good things. This school would eventually become part of the University of Hartford. -
Harriet Beeche Stowe's Death
Harriet died of a years-long "mental trouble", which became acute and caused "congestion of the brain and partial paralysis", according to her obituary. Researchers today speculate that she was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.
