This work investigates the historical development and social evolution of African Americans from the colonial period through the early twentieth century. Benjamin Brawley, a noted scholar and educator, utilizes primary source documents, legislative records, and historical analysis to trace the trajectory of Black life in America. The text argues that the social status of the African American population is inextricably linked to the broader political and economic shifts within the United States. Brawley provides a chronological framework that emphasizes the resilience and cultural contributions of the community despite systemic oppression.

Historians and scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text in the development of African American historiography. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which reflects the formal scholarly standards of the early twentieth century.