*Uncle Tom's Cabin* was an immediate bestseller, selling over 300,000 copies in the United States in its first year of publication. It was also widely translated and published in other countries, where it had a similar impact in raising awareness of the issue of slavery. The book's vivid portrayal of the brutal realities of slavery and its sympathetic treatment of enslaved people helped to change the way that many people thought about the institution of slavery.
Stowe's writing and activism made her a controversial figure in her time. She was subjected to criticism and even threats of violence from southerners who defended slavery. However, she never wavered in her commitment to the abolitionist cause. She continued to write and speak out against slavery until the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, was ratified in 1865.
Stowe's work had a profound impact on the history of the United States. *Uncle Tom's Cabin* is credited with helping to turn public opinion against slavery and playing a role in the outbreak of the Civil War. Stowe herself was a tireless advocate for the abolition of slavery and women's rights. She is remembered as one of the most influential writers and activists of her time.