Harriet Beecher Stowe

Summary

The video script narrates the life and impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' Born in New England, she moved to Cincinnati, where she was deeply affected by the realities of slavery. Her father's anti-slavery beliefs and her exposure to abolitionists, including the Ranken family's stories of aiding slaves, inspired her monumental work. Published in 1852, the novel humanized enslaved people and sparked significant debate on the evils of slavery, changing America's perception of the exploitative use of free labor.

Takeaways

• 📚 Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the influential novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', which was inspired by real-life events and people she encountered in Cincinnati.
• 🏠 The Beecher family lived in Cincinnati, where Harriet was exposed to the realities of slavery and met abolitionists who influenced her work.
• 👨‍🏫 Harriet's father, Lyman Beecher, was a president of Lane Seminary, an institution that trained ministers and was known for its anti-slavery stance.
• 👩‍🏫 Harriet and her sister Katherine began their careers as teachers, and Harriet wrote over 30 novels in her lifetime.
• 📖 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was initially a response to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and was first published in serial form in 1851, followed by a hardback novel in 1852.
• 🌊 The character Eliza in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is believed to be inspired by a true story Harriet heard from the Rankin family, who helped slaves escape across the Ohio River.
• 🔍 Harriet's experiences in Cincinnati and her connections with abolitionists provided her with firsthand accounts of slavery's cruelties, which she incorporated into her novel.
• 🤔 Some critics view 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' as a problematic portrayal of black people, depicting them as childish and inept, which may have reinforced stereotypes.
• 📈 The novel had a significant impact on America, humanizing those who were exploited and sparking a national debate about the morality of slavery.
• 📚 In addition to the novel, Harriet Beecher Stowe also wrote 'The Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin', a factual documentation of the abuses faced by people of color.
• 🏛 Harriet's time in Cincinnati and her proximity to the slave state of Kentucky allowed her to witness and document the sale of slaves, contributing to the anti-slavery movement.

Q & A

Who was Harriet Beecher Stowe and why is she significant?

Harriet Beecher Stowe was an American author and abolitionist, best known for her novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' which exposed the cruelties of slavery and had a profound impact on America's views towards slavery.

What is the famous quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln regarding Harriet Beecher Stowe?

When Harriet Beecher Stowe met Abraham Lincoln in 1862, he is said to have exclaimed, 'So you're the little lady who started this Great War,' referring to the impact of her book 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' on the Civil War.

Where did Harriet Beecher Stowe live that influenced her writing of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'?

Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for nearly 20 years, which exposed her to the cruelties of slavery and inspired her writing of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'

What was Harriet Beecher Stowe's connection to the Lane Seminary?

Harriet Beecher Stowe's father, Lyman Beecher, became the president of Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, where Harriet moved with her family in 1832.

Who were some of the key influences on Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery sentiments?

Harriet Beecher Stowe was influenced by her father, Lyman Beecher, an anti-slavery advocate, and the abolitionist community in Cincinnati, including the Rankin family.

What role did John Rankin play in Harriet Beecher Stowe's writing?

John Rankin was a Presbyterian abolitionist whose stories of aiding escaping slaves, including the tale of Eliza crossing the ice, inspired characters and events in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'

What specific event inspired the character Eliza in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'?

The character Eliza was inspired by a real incident where a young slave mother escaped by crossing the ice on the Ohio River to avoid being sold away from her child.

How did Harriet Beecher Stowe contribute to her family's income before writing 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'?

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote to help supplement her husband's income as a professor, authoring various works before 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'

What was the impact of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' upon its publication?

'Uncle Tom's Cabin' had a profound impact on America, humanizing enslaved people and igniting debates about the morality of slavery, contributing to the abolitionist movement.

What criticisms have been leveled against 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' in modern times?

Some critics argue that 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' painted black people as childish and inept, perpetuating stereotypes, even though it was powerful in highlighting the injustices of slavery.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Harriet Beecher Stowe's Life and Influence

This paragraph delves into the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the influential novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. It describes her move from New England to Cincinnati, her family's anti-slavery stance, and her father's role in establishing Lane Seminary. Harriet's early career as a teacher and her eventual success as a novelist are highlighted, with a focus on the impact of her father's beliefs on her work. The paragraph also discusses the inspiration behind 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', including real-life incidents and people she encountered, such as the story of Eliza, which inspired a character in her novel. It mentions the connection between the Beecher and Rankin families, both of whom were active in the abolitionist movement, and how Harriet's experiences in Cincinnati and visits to the Rankin family influenced her writing.

05:02

🔍 The Impact of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' on American Perceptions

The second paragraph examines the impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' on American society. It discusses the novel's portrayal of the inhumanity and exploitation inherent in slavery, and how it humanized those who were enslaved. The paragraph also touches on Stowe's personal experiences in Cincinnati and her visits to Kentucky, which provided her with firsthand accounts of the sale of enslaved people. It mentions the 'Notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin', which served as a powerful documentation of the abuses faced by people of color. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the ongoing debate sparked by the novel regarding the severity of slavery and its role in changing perceptions about the exploitation of free labor.

Keywords

💡Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Beecher Stowe was an American author and abolitionist, best known for her novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' She is a central figure in the video, as her experiences and writings are the focus. The script mentions her meeting with Abraham Lincoln and her exposure to the cruelties of slavery, which inspired her to write her monumental work.

💡Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is the 16th President of the United States, known for his role in the abolition of slavery. In the script, Lincoln's exclamation upon meeting Stowe highlights the perceived influence of her work on the American Civil War, indicating the significance of literature in shaping public opinion and political discourse.

💡Uncle Tom's Cabin

Uncle Tom's Cabin is a novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicts the harsh realities of slavery. It is a key concept in the video as it represents Stowe's most significant contribution to the abolitionist movement. The script discusses how the novel was inspired by real-life events and people Stowe encountered.

💡Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a city in Ohio where Harriet Beecher Stowe lived for nearly 20 years. The city's proximity to the slave state of Kentucky exposed Stowe to the realities of slavery, which is a central theme of the video. The script mentions Cincinnati as the place where Stowe was influenced by abolitionists and where she began her career as a teacher.

💡Lane Seminary

Lane Seminary is an institution in Cincinnati where Harriet's father, Lyman Beecher, served as president. It played a role in the abolitionist movement by training ministers. The script connects the seminary to the theme of education and anti-slavery sentiments, which influenced the Beecher family.

💡Abolitionist

An abolitionist is someone who advocates for the abolition of slavery. The term is central to the video's theme as it describes the beliefs and actions of key characters like Harriet Beecher Stowe and her father, Lyman Beecher, as well as the students at Lane Seminary.

💡Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a controversial law that required the return of escaped slaves to their owners. The script mentions that Stowe was asked to write in response to this act, which led to the creation of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' showing how legislation can inspire social commentary in literature.

💡Eliza

Eliza is a character in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' who is inspired by a real-life incident. The script recounts the story of a slave woman who escapes across the Ohio River, which Stowe likely heard during a visit to the home of abolitionist John Rankin. Eliza's story exemplifies the bravery and determination of those escaping slavery.

💡John Rankin

John Rankin was a Presbyterian abolitionist who helped slaves escape to freedom. The script describes how Stowe was influenced by Rankin's stories of aiding slaves, which is directly related to the theme of the video as it shows the real-life events that inspired her novel.

💡Abolition

Abolition refers to the movement to end slavery. It is a key theme in the video, as it discusses the impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's work and the people she encountered who were involved in the abolitionist movement, such as her father and John Rankin.

💡Notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin

Notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin is a work by Harriet Beecher Stowe that provides factual documentation of the abuses of people of color. The script mentions this work as a powerful account that set off a debate about the severity of slavery, illustrating Stowe's continued impact on the abolitionist movement and public perception.

Highlights

Harriet Beecher Stowe met Abraham Lincoln in 1862, with Lincoln reportedly saying she started the Great War.

Stowe lived in Cincinnati for nearly 20 years, near the slave state of Kentucky, where she was exposed to the cruelties of slavery.

The Beecher home in Cincinnati is now a museum open to the public.

Harriet's father, Lyman Beecher, was president of Lane Seminary and had strong anti-slavery sentiments.

Harriet and her sister Katherine began their careers as teachers influenced by their father's beliefs.

Harriet wrote over 30 novels during her lifetime, including 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.

She wrote 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' in response to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

The novel was first published in serial form in 1851 and as a hardback in 1852.

Much of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was inspired by real people and events around Cincinnati.

Harriet likely heard the story that inspired her character Eliza during a family visit in Ripley, Ohio.

The incident of Eliza crossing the ice with her child was a significant event that inspired Stowe.

Harriet Beecher Stowe's connection with the Rankin family, known for aiding slaves, likely influenced her work.

The story of a young mother escaping slavery across the Ohio River inspired the character of Eliza.

Stowe's depiction of slavery in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' humanized those being exploited and had a profound impact on America.

The novel sparked a debate about the abuses of people of color and the exploitative use of free labor.

Harriet Beecher Stowe's work led to a change in how society viewed slavery and the treatment of black people.

Some critics view 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' as painting black people as childish and inept, needing to be pitied.

Stowe's personal experiences in Cincinnati and Kentucky informed her powerful documentation of slavery's abuses in 'Notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin'.

Transcripts

[Music]

when Harriet beer Stow met Abraham

Lincoln in 1862 he is said to have

exclaimed so you're the little lady who

started this Great War Harriet who had

moved from New England with her family

lived in Cincinnati for nearly 20 years

it is here just miles away from the

slave state of Kentucky that Harriet was

exposed to the cruelties of slavery and

met the people whose lives later

inspired her to write her Monumental

work Uncle Tom's Cabin today the Beacher

home is a museum open to the

[Music]

public Harriet came to Cincinnati In

1832 at the age of

21 um her father had taken the job as

president of Lane

Seminary it was begun to serve the West

in terms of

training ministers and sent Lyman beer

out here as President to establish this

institution this house was built for the

beachers she lived here when she was

waiting for her first children who were

twins to be born Lyman beer was a man of

conviction his anti-slavery sentiments

and belief in education had a great

impact on his children all of whom

received an education

Harriet along with her sister Katherine

first began her career as a teacher

Harriet's career spanned many many years

she wrote over 30 novels during her

lifetime she wrote for almost 20 years

before Uncle Tom's Cabin she wrote to

help supplement her husband's income as

a professor when she wrote Uncle Tom's

Cabin she had been asked by relatives if

she would write something in response to

the Fugitive Slave Act of

1850 it was first published in 1851 in

serial form in the following year in

1852 it was published as a hardback Noel

much of Uncle Tom's Cabin was inspired

by real people and events in and around

Cincinnati Harriet likely heard the

story that would later Inspire her Eliza

character while on a family visit at the

home of the Presbyterian abolitionist

John Ranken in Ripley Ohio I'm reminded

of the most important incident that ever

took place in Ripley during all the

years of the activities of the abolition

group strange as it may seem no one

placed any importance in the episode

when it occurred because we did not know

it was in the mind of Harry beer Stone

I'm referring to the incident of Eliza

with her babe and her arms Crossing on

Ice chased by dogs to the water's edge

I've told this story story directly from

Reverend John Rankin to whom Eliza told

her story within the hour after she made

the crossing as she sat by his Fireside

in his Hilltop Home John

Parker we believe there is a strong

connection with the Beacher and the

Rankin families the beachers were

Presbyterians The Rankin are

Presbyterians they share a lot of common

interest in their oppos to slavery we do

believe Harriet beer was a visitor in

Ripley and in the surrounding area and

heard John and Jean Ranken telling these

various stories of aiding slaves in an

escape one story is the story of a slave

woman a young mother who has discovered

that she's going to be sold away from

this Northern Kentucky farm it's winter

time so she's going to take this

opportunity to attempt an escape

this slave and her small child make

their way across the Ohio River jumping

from Ice Flow to Ice Flow she makes it

across the river she's directed to the

home of the Rankin The Rankin take her

in then get her on to the next station

North later when Harry beer Stow was

living in the New England states where

she lived when she wrote what would

become this bestseller novel Uncle Tom's

Cabin her character Eliza is based on

the woman we just talked about living in

Cincinnati helped Harriet uh when she

later rode Uncle Tom's Cabin she knew

many abolitionists because many of the

students at Lane Seminary were

abolitionists so she would have talk to

these students and she would have met

people like the

rankings Uncle Tom's Cabin is one one of

my least favorite

books uh in that it painted black people

as being uh

childish um

inept uh people to be sorry for that's

the way I saw it it in fact made quite

an impact on

America when Harriet becher

humanized the people who were being

exploited being robbed of their

personhood being robbed of their

labor with her living in Cincinnati

and coming a half days uh ride up river

to

see what was going on in Kentucky and to

visit the Ranken family she was able to

give an account of the sale the famous

sale in Washington

Kentucky she also heard stories and saw

things on both sides of the river that

gave her reason to then later on write

the notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin which was

one of the most powerful

documentations of factual do

documentations of the abuses of people

of

color and it set off a debate that

continues to

today about how bad slavery was or was

not but it forever helped change how we

began to look at the exploitive use of

free labor