Final answer:
The wide-open spaces of the Plains and the Mountain West made physical distance a barrier to socializing and attending school, fostering a sense of individualism. The practice of potlatch is linked to The Pacific Northwest, and The Mourning Wars to The Northeast.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the United States, the wide-open spaces of the Plains and the Mountain West, with their sparse populations and geographical challenges, made it difficult for social interactions and attending school. The distances between neighbors could span a mile or more, creating a sense of individualism and an insular society. In this region, unlike the more community-focused areas of New England, the settlers often held an 'every man for himself' attitude towards governance and neighborly relations. Thus, both the Midwest, with its isolation on farms and ranches, and parts of the West, due to vast distances and a desire for individualism, could have posed challenges for socializing and education.
For the student questions provided, the answer regarding the practice of potlatch is associated with The Pacific Northwest. The Mourning Wars are associated with The Northeast. These cultural practices are indicative of the social structures and customs of the respective regions. Furthermore, settlers from New England who moved west into the Midwest brought with them certain social and cultural practices, thereby influencing the development of society in those areas.