An American Drama: The Debate of Slavery in Antebellum Theatre

In the 1850’s the dramatization of Uncle Tom’s Cabin initiated a decade of theatre that revolved around the question of slavery. As a result, the American theatre became another medium for the debate on slavery that was raging between Democrats and Republicans. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was used as abolitionist propaganda in the North. The success of Uncle Tom’s Cabin prompted a wave of pro-slavery plays in the South. None of these were very successful. In the North, anti-slavery drama became increasingly popular, and productions such as Dred and The Octoroon were able to thrive in the aftermath of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.