silent m

• • in November 1969, Nixon made televised speech about policy in Vietnam
  • he appealed for the support of a group “the great silent majority”
  • the silent majority were Americans who supported his policies but did not actively campaign or protest
• the speech was successful

  • a poll from the next days shows 77% of people supported Nixon‘s policy in Vietnam
  • thousands of letters of support were sent to the White House
  • public approval led to resolutions being passed which approved of Nixon’s conduct of the war
• • The reaction to the speech showed support for the war when Nixon needed it
  • This is because he wanted to start negotiations with North Vietnam
  • Support meant he could tell North Vietnam that despite anti-war demonstrations and protests, he had support where it mattered - Congress and the general public
  • This meant that the USA was able to withstand the war and to able to have a gradual withdrawal