Why do we have to know the historical background in the novels?

Knowing the historical background of a novel before reading it can enhance the experience for the reader. Historical novels, such as “All Quiet on the Western Front” have many historical events and features, many of these events are not thoroughly explained, as a result the reader can feel confused and detached from the novel. When the reader has a thorough understanding of the history behind the novel, they will feel more immersed as they know the context of what they are reading.