Reasons for Support 2
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 5.3.19
The ‘Silent Majority’
On 3rd November 1969, President Nixon made a speech on TV appealing for support from the ‘silent majority’. A poll showed that 77% of the public supported Nixon’s policies.
Appeal
- On 3rd November 1969, President Nixon made a speech on TV appealing for support from the ‘silent majority’.
- He believed most people supported the war but took no active role in campaigning for or against the war.
Support
- Over the next few days, over 80,000 telegrams and letters were sent to the White House from people expressing their support.
- A poll showed that 77% of the public supported Nixon’s policies, showing many people considered themselves part of the ‘silent majority’.
Results
- As a result, Congress passed resolutions approving Nixon’s conduct of the war.
- This meant that Nixon could negotiate with the North Vietnamese more easily as he had shown he had plenty of support at home, despite the anti-war movement.
- It gave Nixon a strong position to negotiate for ‘peace with honour’ for America.
Test yourself on Reasons for Support 2
When did President Nixon make a speech on TV appealing for support from the ‘silent majority’?
After Nixon's televised appeal to the silent majority, how many letters of support did the White House receive?