Uncle Tom's Cabin is a direct attack upon the slavery system that existed in the Southern States. The story was first published in serial form in 1851-52. Becoming immediately famous, the novel was translated into many foreign languages and has since been published in innumerable editions. This book is credited with being a catalyst to change public opinion in the United States against slavery, which was ultimately abolished as a result of the war between the Northern and Southern States in 1861-65. This is an important and history-changing book.