Woman in the Nineteenth Century is a foundational text of First Wave Feminism, a movement that emerged in the 19th century and focused on legal and political equality for women. This era saw women rallying for suffrage, property rights, and access to education, among other issues. First Wave Feminism laid the groundwork for the broader feminist movements that would follow, but its primary focus was on securing women's right to vote and dismantling the legal barriers that placed women in subordinate roles to men. Though centered on political rights, the movement also sparked cultural conversations about the roles of women in society and the family. Margaret Fuller, writing during this time, contributed a philosophical depth to these efforts by arguing for the intellectual and spiritual equality of men and women, which she saw as a necessary step toward achieving broader social reforms.

Fuller’s work fits into the larger historical moment when women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were leading the charge for women's suffrage and rights. As these prominent figures focused on legislative and social changes, Fuller’s emphasis on education, moral development, and self-reliance echoed the intellectual currents of the time, offering a complementary

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