What was going on in the country during the time paul laurence dunbar lived?

Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in 1872, seven years after the proclamation of emancipation proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 came into effect. In fact, his parents had been slaves in Kentucky before the secessionist war (1861-1865). Paul Laurence Dunbar became the first African-american poet to gain success and recognition by American society and media. He created a great legacy and became an influence for incoming black poets and artist, and was considered a big figure for other well-known abolitionist figures like Frederick Douglass.

it was a big part of the story, making a lot of plot points happen?