The regionalism in the United States played an essential role in composition of group and personal identity among black communities. The black people in the South were well aware of their bad social position, but they had no other choice, because any attempts to improve this situation resulted in severe punishments. However, in early 19th century, the Northern states started huge protests against slavery. In 1820 the Missouri compromise divided the country into slave states and free states. After 1820 organized groups formed ways to help slaves escape and become free in the North. Some Black people tried to escape on their own. All those events helped to form personal identity of American black community.