W.E.B. Du Bois published The Souls of Black Folk in 1903, right around the turn of the twentieth century. The historical setting and political climate in America during this time period are necessary elements for understanding this work, which discusses current events to shed light on the plight of Black people in the United States. Du Bois himself does an excellent job of setting the stage for the reader, explaining Reconstruction-era policies that led to the "Veil": the modern separation of Black and white American life.
Literary and social movements that were prevalent at the time should also be considered a necessary part of the setting, particularly considering the extent of Du Bois's education. He would have been aware of major philosophers, scholars, scientists, activists, and authors writing at the time. This fact shines through in his work, which makes heavy reference to men like Booker T. Washington. Du Bois's work on The Souls of Black Folk was also quite clearly influenced by literary Modernism and the eugenics movement, both of which gained momentum right around the turn of the twentieth century. Modernism, in particular, was a reaction to the massive cultural and technological shifts accompanying industrialization and globalization.
