text: where did the term "uncle tom" come from?? i know what means, but how did they come up with that term.   uncle tom's cabin is a novel by american abolitionist author harriet beecher stowe which treats slavery as a central theme. the work was first published on march 20, 1852. the story focuses on the tale of uncle tom, a long-suffering african american slave, the central character around whose life the other characters—both fellow slaves and white slave owners—revolve. the novel dramatizes the harsh reality of slavery while also showing that christian love and faith can overcome even something as evil as enslavement of fellow human beings.  uncle tom's cabin was the best-selling novel of the 19th century (and the second best-selling book of the century after the bible)[1] and is credited with both helping to start the american civil war and helping to fuel the abolitionist cause in the united states.  despite these positive effects, the book also helped create and spread common stereotypes about african americans, many of which endure to this day. among the stereotypes in the book include the affectionate, dark-skinned mammy; the pickanniny stereotype of black children; and the uncle tom, or dutiful, long-suffering servant faithful to his white master or mistress. in recent years, these negative associations with uncle tom's cabin have to a large degree overshadowed the historical impact of the book.