The publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe significantly impacted public opinion on slavery in the United States. The novel depicted the harsh realities of slave life and humanized the struggles faced by enslaved individuals, particularly through the character of Uncle Tom. Stowe's powerful narrative galvanized the abolitionist movement, raising awareness and empathy among Northern readers and contributing to the growing anti-slavery sentiment. The book became a bestseller and was instrumental in shaping the national conversation around slavery, making it a pivotal work that underscored the moral imperatives for emancipation prior to the Civil War.