Stowe 's novel Uncle Tom 's Cabin ( 1852 ) showed the lives of African-Americans who were slaves . It was very popular as a novel and a play , and had a great influence in the United States and Britain , helping people who did not like slavery and making many people disagree with slavery . Her novel Uncle Tom 's Cabin ( 1852 ) depicted life for African-Americans under slavery ; it reached millions as a novel and play , and became influential in the United States and United Kingdom .