The new south era was a period in the late 1800s and early 1900s that saw an increase in urbanization and manufacturing and a decrease of the pre-civil war agrarian society in the deep south. identify which of the individuals below were important african americans during this time in american history. w. e.b. du bois was a scholar, author, and sociologist who promoted the rights of black americans. martin luther king, jr. gave many famous speeches during this time and led important protests against segregation. booker t. washington was a u. s. educator and reformer and was one of the most prominent african american leaders of his time. alonzo herndon was a successful and influential african american businessman at the turn of the century.