Changes

A '''silent majority''' is a large amount of people who, as the term implies, constitute a majority or large amount of the population on a certain issue or issues, but have not openly expressed their opinions. This causes the opposing side to appear numerically larger, but the silent majority can often be seen on election days.

A '''silent majority''' is a large amount of people who, as the term implies, constitute a [[majority]] or large amount of the population on a certain issue or issues, but have not openly expressed their opinions. This causes the opposing side to appear numerically larger, but the silent majority can often be seen on election days.

In United States history, the silent majority has usually consisted of conservatives, fed up or unpersuaded by the vocal left-wing minority, who only showed their views at the ballot box rather than holding major or disruptive protests.

In [[United States]] history, the silent majority has usually consisted of law-abiding [[conservatives]], fed up or unpersuaded by the vocal [[left-wing]] minority. Rather than holding major [[protest]]s, oftentimes disruptive or violent in the case of the left-wingers, they let their views be known through the ballot box.

==Origin of the term==

==Origin of the term==

The term "silent majority" first originated under Republican U.S. president [[Richard Nixon]].

The term "silent majority" first originated under [[Republican Party|Republican]] U.S. president [[Richard Nixon]].

Nixon, who was elected president in 1968, promised an end to the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="CHNM">[https://chnm.gmu.edu/hardhats/silent.html Nixon's "Silent Majority" Speech]. ''chnm.gmu.edu''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> After he assumed office, Nixon decided against a quick withdrawl, as it would severely damage international trust and confidence in American leadership.<ref name="CHNM"/> However, [[liberal]] [[Anti-war|antiwar activists]], who wanted a quick withdrawal regardless of its effects, were very unhappy and vocal in their unhappiness, staging at least one major protest in [[Washington D.C.]]<ref name="CHNM"/>

Nixon, who was elected [[President of the United States|president]] in [[United States presidential election, 1968|1968]], promised an end to the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="CHNM">[https://chnm.gmu.edu/hardhats/silent.html Nixon's "Silent Majority" Speech]. ''chnm.gmu.edu''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> After he assumed office, Nixon decided against a quick withdrawl, as it would severely damage international trust and confidence in American leadership.<ref name="CHNM"/> However, [[liberal]] antiwar activists, who wanted a quick withdrawal regardless of its effects, were very unhappy and vocal in their unhappiness, staging at least one major protest in [[Washington D.C.]]<ref name="CHNM"/>

On November 3, 1969, Nixon gave a major speech to call for national unity and explain his plan for [[Vietnamization]]—to reduce U.S. troop presence in the country until either true peace could be achieved or until the [[South Vietnamese]] could defend themselves.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History">[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-calls-on-the-silent-majority Nixon calls on the “silent majority” - Nov. 3, 1969 - This Day in History]. ''History.com''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> At the end of his speech, Nixon called on the "great silent majority" to support his plan.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History"/>

On November 3, 1969, Nixon gave a major speech to call for national unity and explain his plan for [[Vietnamization]]—to reduce U.S. troop presence in the country until either true peace could be achieved or until the [[South Vietnamese]] could defend themselves.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History">[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-calls-on-the-silent-majority Nixon calls on the “silent majority” - Nov. 3, 1969 - This Day in History]. ''History.com''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> At the end of his speech, Nixon called on the "great silent majority" to support his plan.<ref name="CHNM"/><ref name="History"/>

===Outcome===

===Outcome===

While the [[New Left]], antiwar protestors, and [[hippies]] vocally expressed their leftist views, a silent majority of Americans who had not given in to their agenda. In fact, a Gallup poll released soon after Nixon's November 1969 speech showed 77 percent of Americans in favor of Nixon's policy, despite the antiwar protests.<ref name="History"/>

While the [[New Left]], antiwar protestors, and [[hippies]] vocally expressed their leftist views, a silent majority of Americans who had not given in to their agenda. In fact, a [[Gallup]] poll released soon after Nixon's November 1969 speech showed 77 percent of Americans in favor of Nixon's policy, despite the [[Anti-war|antiwar]] protests.<ref name="History"/>

The existence of the silent majority was further seen in the [[United States presidential election, 1972|1972 presidential election]]. Democrats nominated [[George McGovern]], likely the most [[left-wing]] nominee in history at that point. Large numbers of Democrats abandoned the party and its nominee who was not in line with their traditional conservative values and voted for Nixon.<ref name="Britannica">[https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1972 United States presidential election of 1972]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> Nixon was successfully able to point out McGovern's extreme views, and he won the election in one of the largest landslides in United States history.<ref name="Britannica"/><ref name="WaPo1972">Broder, David S. (November 8, 1972). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/110872-1.htm Nixon Wins Landslide Victory; Democrats Hold Senate, House]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> Even traditionally Democrat states, such as [[West Virginia]], [[New York]], and [[Texas]], voted for Nixon (he won 49 states).<ref name="WaPo1972"/> As of 2016, the 1972 presidential election was the 4th largest landslide election in terms of the popular vote, and even larger than the [[United States presidential election, 1964|1964 presidential election]].<ref>[http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/largest-landslide-victories-in-us-presidential-election-history.html Largest Landslide Victories In US Presidential Election History]. ''worldatlas.com''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref>

The existence of the silent majority was further seen in the [[United States presidential election, 1972|1972 presidential election]]. Democrats nominated [[George McGovern]], likely the most [[left-wing]] nominee in history at that point. Large numbers of [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] abandoned the party and its nominee who was not in line with their traditional conservative values and voted for Nixon.<ref name="Britannica">[https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1972 United States presidential election of 1972]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> Nixon was successfully able to point out McGovern's extreme views, and he won the election in one of the largest landslides in United States history.<ref name="Britannica"/><ref name="WaPo1972">Broder, David S. (November 8, 1972). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/110872-1.htm Nixon Wins Landslide Victory; Democrats Hold Senate, House]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref> Even traditionally Democrat states, such as [[West Virginia]], [[New York]], and [[Texas]], voted for Nixon (he won 49 states).<ref name="WaPo1972"/> As of 2016, the 1972 presidential election was the 4th largest landslide election in terms of the popular vote, and even larger than the [[United States presidential election, 1964|1964 presidential election]].<ref>[http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/largest-landslide-victories-in-us-presidential-election-history.html Largest Landslide Victories In US Presidential Election History]. ''worldatlas.com''. Retrieved December 18, 2016.</ref>

==Other examples of the silent majority in history==

==Other examples of the silent majority in history==