What was Tom Robinson accused of in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'?

Tom Robinson was falsely accused of rape by Mayella Ewell and her father Bob, that allegedly happened on November 21st. The story was that Mayella kissed Tom, and her father saw through the window, and beat her black and blue. Tom ran away as fast as he could because even though he was not guilty, he felt it not safe to remain. Mayella said that she was raped. Her father most likely forced her to say that she was raped, but it was never confirmed in "To Kill A Mockingbird." The right side of her face was bruised, her father was left handed, and Tom Robinson's left hand was of no use to him since it had been caught in a Cotton Gin when he was 12.

They proceeded with a court session where Atticus Finch (Jem and Scout Finch's father), was to defend him. Atticus and most other townsfolk knew that Tom was innocent, and all the evidence proved very obviously so. But being set in the mid-1900s, racism was high, and discrimination of the blacks was still running. Naturally Atticus would not win the case because no matter how much evidence Tom had, the jury would charge him guilty as charged just because of his color.

The Judge knew that Atticus would never win the case, yet he still appointed him because he knew that Atticus would go through it until he made sure he sent a message along to everybody. Atticus Finch was a very brave man, although knowing he would never win the case, went along with it anyways because it was the right thing. At the end of the case, he made a big speech upon how every man was created equal. This was very true, and I believe he sent a very important message to everyone in the courtroom that day.