 In the mid 19th century there were concentrations of African Americans in east-central Indiana, southwest Michigan, and elsewhere.Due to their early settlement of the Midwest, Upland Southerners initially controlled territorial and state governments, and played a major role in establishing the political and social culture, such as the Black Laws of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.Over the 19th century the percentage of Upland Southerners fell, especially as large numbers of native born Midwesterners joined the population.