Question

What is the main idea of this passage?

a. The public criticized the mayor for not doing more to save Seattle citizens.
b. The public thought the mayor could have done more, but they did not assign blame.
c. The mayor might have saved lives, but the public thought his actions were too severe.
d. The mayor was praised for taking strong steps to stop the spread of the disease.

Answer 1

The main idea conveyed by the passage is that the public often endorses strong government intervention in times of crisis, valuing societal stability over individual freedoms. Option a is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main idea of the passage is that the public accepted, and in some cases, praised, the government's forceful actions during times of crisis in order to prevent larger societal disruptions, despite the potential infringement on individual freedoms and rights.

In Seattle during the 1919 General Strike, the mayor's declaration of martial law and the threat of federal troop intervention was largely supported by a public concerned about potential anarchy and the spread of 'Bolshevism'.

Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, governmental measures such as movement restrictions and mandated mask-wearing were viewed by many as necessary to protect the populace, despite the vocal minority that opposed these restrictions on the basis of individual rights.