Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin made its debut in the National Era, an abolitionist newspaper published in Washington, D.C. This serialized novel, published in 1851, vividly portrayed the stark realities of slavery and its brutal impacts on both enslaved individuals and their families. Stowe, a deeply religious woman from a prominent abolitionist family, was motivated by her belief in the necessity of social reform and the liberation of enslaved people. By writing Uncle Tom's Cabin, she sought to humanize the suffering of enslaved people and rally support for the abolitionist cause.

The narrative primarily follows the story of Tom, an enslaved man, and other characters representing the various facets of the oppressive system of chattel slavery. Through her compelling characterizations and emotional storytelling, Stowe aimed to elicit sympathy and introspection from her predominantly Northern audience. The serialization of Uncle Tom's Cabin led to an explosive public reaction; readers expressed outrage, empathy, and a newfound understanding of the horrors of slavery, which were often dismissed or ignored in the broader society.

The publication ran for ten months, concluding in April 1852. The serialized format allowed for a gradual build-up, enabling readers to become invested in the characters' fates. The popularity of the novel led to its publication as a book, where it achieved remarkable sales figures and further solidified its status as a critical work in American literature. Stowe's narrative not only laid the groundwork for future abolitionist literature but also stirred national discourse on the morality of slavery and its consequences for the nation.