1 A shared set of cultural beliefs often called a “frontier mentality” involved “rugged
individuals pitted against nature,” who saw no need for controls by a powerful gov–
ernment and who resented attempts to regulate any aspect of their lives. It empha–
sized individuality, personal responsibility, and freedom from government influence, reflecting basic values from colonial times that continue today.
Discuss how these values had an impact during the pandemic of 2020–2021 and the controversies that arose regarding the wearing of masks, state and local regulations during the pandemic, and decisions to follow, or not follow, advice from public health or government officials.
2 Discuss how these same values played a role in the presidential campaign of 2020.
