At milestone documents, we believe that engaging with historys original voices is exciting for students and liberating. Nixon the great silent majority flashcards quizlet. Unlike calhoun, agnew resigned as a result of a scandal. Richard nixon silent majority speech 1969 richard nixon. Nixon s silent majority speech during his successful campaign for the presidency in 1968, richard nixon. Pledging that the united states was going to keep our commitment in. A significant source of its attractiveness could be the presidents sensing from the film a silent majority acceptance of a patton.
Sep 02, 2017 achieving peace with honor 1969 to 1973 introduction the most pressing problem facing richard nixon when he assumed the presidency on january 20, 1969, was the war in vietnam. President richard nixon made his silent majority speech on this day in 1969, hoping to rally support for his approach to the war in vietnam and stem the antiwar protests sweeping the nation. Here, he was referring to those americans who were. To this effect, his speech the great silent majority is probably the most successful in answering all the key issues of the time. The speech is now known as the silent majority speech. This is the 37th time i have spoken to you from this office, where so many decisions have been made that shaped the history of this nation. Nov 16, 2014 president nixon originally popularized the term in a speech on november 3, 1969, in which he said, and so tonightto you, the great silent majority of my fellow americansi ask for your support. The first quote comes from the great silent majority and goes like this. Examine richard nixon s policies concerning the vietnam war in 1969, including. The silent majority television address was nixon s most effective speech. The public reaction to the silent majority speech was very favorable at the time and the white. Later, vice president agnew would single out kalbs analysis as well as commentary by bill downs and bill lawrence on abc news, dismissing it as instant analysis and. Information agency report examines the meaning of the term silent majority as used by president nixon in.
And it is particularly the responsibility of the people whose freedom is threatened. My fellow americans, i am sure you can recognize from what i have said that we really only have two choices open to us if we want to end this war. Nixon sat before television cameras in the oval office to deliver what he considered the most important speech of his career. The silent majority is an unspecified large majority of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly. The great silent majority introduction cookie monster. He promised themes of law and order lecture 24, november 14, pandered to what he called the silent majority silent majority speech, 1969 and promised to end the unpopular vietnam war, a product itself of liberal. Winner of the 1968 election with his campaign for ending the vietnam war with an honorable peace. President richard nixon in a november 3, 1969, speech in which he said, and so tonightto you, the great silent majority of my fellow americansi ask for your support. You know when you get your hand stuck in a cookie jar, but since youve got a hand full of cookie deliciousness, your fist is too big to get out of the jar.
Aug 03, 2008 this anthology includes some of the most famous addresses in american history, from nixon s checkers speech 1952 and last press conference 1962, to the silent majority speech 1969 and white house farewell. The great silent majority, vietnam war speech 1969. Because richard nixon s the great silent majority speech is all about the rhetorical appeal of ethos. President nixon originally popularized the term in a speech on november 3, 1969, in which he said, and so tonightto you, the great silent majority of my fellow americansi ask for your support. Nixon s 1969 speech on vietnamization by karlyn kohrs campbell. Speeches of richard nixon southeast missouri state. Click here to request a free trial account only available to college instructors primary source readers. It follows the full text transcript of richard nixon s the great silent majority speech, broadcast from washington d. Nixons appeal to americas great silent majority is basically a call to your average joe schmoe american to stand up and do the right thing.
Fifty years ago, richard nixon mapped out a future that could well have saved south vietnam from communism. Text of president richard nixons resignation speech. A case study in the rhetoric of polarization andrew a. Reviews in his concise analysis of president richard nixon s silent majority speech, scott laderman elucidates how nixon used his policy of positive polarization to pursue his effort toward victory in vietnam, and demonstrates how president nixon s speech helped bring forth the rise of the political right. Go here for more about nixon s the great silent majority speech here is the audio clip of nixon s speech. Nixons silent majority speech roy rosenzweig center for. In response to the moratorium protests, president richard nixon went on national television on 3 november 1969 to give his silent majority speech asking for the support of the silent majority for his vietnam policy. Young voters and the rise of the republican party, 19681980. Reviews in his concise analysis of president richard nixons silent majority speech, scott laderman elucidates how nixon used his policy of positive polarization to pursue his effort toward victory in vietnam, and demonstrates how president nixons speech helped bring forth the rise of the political right. The silent majority richard nixon by adrianna cook on prezi. And, as has been so often said tonight, well just have to wait and see. Because richard nixons the great silent majority speech is all about the rhetorical appeal of ethos. So tonight, to you, the great silent majority of my fellow americans, i ask for your support.
The motion picture patton had an acknowledged profound impact on richard nixon in the month preceding his 1970 decision to enter cambodia. He delivered an address to the nation now referred to as the silent majority speech. The silent majority is an unspecified large group of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly. Nixon delivered an address to the nation now referred to as the silent majority speech on november 3, 1969. Silent majority speech november 1969 in november 1969 united states president richard nixon responded to mounting criticism of the war in vietnam by trying to undercut demonstrators who had recently staged a nationwide day of protest. President richard nixon in a televised address on november 3, 1969, in which he said, and so tonightto you, the great silent majority of my fellow americansi ask for your support. Dive deep into roger morris richard milhous nixon with extended analysis, commentary, and discussion. At this time the american people stood divided on their views on the war. Following the renewed antiwar movement around the states, president richard nixon went on television and radio to call for national solidarity on his war effort in vietnam and to gather support for his policies. This is president richard nixon s address to the nation on the war in vietnam. Each time i have done so to discuss with you some matter that i believe affected the national interest. On the heels of a major nationwide protest against the vietnam war in october 1969, president richard nixon delivers a speech on november 3, laying out his plans for ending the war through.
I have initiated a plan of action which will enable me to keep that pledge. Nixons 1969 speech on vietnamization by karlyn kohrs campbell. Richard nixon and the quest for a new majority is a detailed and workmanlike study. Silent majority is not just a historical examination of nixons speech in relation to the war but also. President nixons silent majority speech on vietnam war.
Richard nixon can be summed up by his two most famous quotes. Nixon, trump and courting the silent majority university. Nixon s silent majority speech during his successful campaign for the presidency in 1968, richard nixon promised he had a secret plan to end the war in vietnam. President richard nixons silent majority speech, november 1969. Campbell has published three critical analyses of it, between. Nixon died in 1994 and was eulogised by the political establishment, although he was still a figure of controversy.
This anthology includes some of the most famous addresses in american history, from nixon s checkers speech 1952 and last press conference 1962, to the silent majority speech 1969 and white house farewell. In a television speech on may 14, in a speech before the united nations, on a number of other occasions, i set forth. Cbs news correspondents react to nixon s silent majority speech. These texts are joined by campaign documentsincluding the infamous pink sheet from the 1950 senate racethat give stark evidence of nixon s slashing. Summary in his televised and widely watched speech to the nation on november 3, 1969, pres. I had to think of the effect of my decision on the next generation, and on the future of peace and freedom in. Nixons silent majority was not about race the american.
On november 3, 1969, president richard nixon addresses the nation on the vietnam war in what is often referred to as his silent majority speech. The most successful speech of the richard nixon presidency. Library of presidential rhetoric provides the speech text, a summary of its. Richard nixon, the vietnam war, and the origins of the new right. Richard nixon was able to find a way to galvanize a segment of the population that felt unheard. Trump champions the silent majority, but what does that mean in 2016. He is the second and most recent vice president to resign the position, the other being john c. President richard nixon delivers a live address from the oval office on. No, he wants those in the great silent majority to back him up and to help him get those annoying antiwar protestors off his back. Nixon the great silent majority, text and audio mp3.
I pledged in my campaign for the presidency to end the war in a way that we could win the peace. Is richard nixons thought of the silent majority correct. Nixon laid out a plan for the end of the war through the process of diplomatic negotiation and vietnamization. The silent majority speech treats richard nixons address of november 3, 1969, as a lens through. It is clear that richard nixon was elected as a conservative. Read the main arguments of vietnam veteran john kerry and the vietnam veterans against the. Having provided this perspective on the situation, he then appealed to the american people, calling on the great silent majority for their support as he worked for peace with honor in. Nixon, he said, got his messages across to the people hes counting on, called the silent majority, but what matters is whether he got his point across to hanoi. May 21, 2007 the most successful speech of the richard nixon presidency. President richard nixons 14 addresses to the nation on. On 4 november, fulbright told a journalist that nixon had fully and truthfully taken upon himself johnsons war.
Listening to white house aides such as kevin phillips, who urged a shift to the right on social and race issues during the 1970 midterm campaign season, president richard nixon attempted to lure democrats into the republican fold with. Conclusion in conclusion, many issues were addressed with a chief motive of presenting a detailed rhetorical analysis of richard nixon s speech checkers. Full text and video of president richard nixons 1969 address on the war in vietnam, more commonly known as the silent majority speech. Nearly a year to the day after winning the presidency, richard m. The battle between the mostly white lefty college kids and richard nixon s. During the 1968 campaign, nixon promised to end the war in vietnam, secure.
Jul 29, 2010 the richard nixon presidential library and museum situ. A rhetorical analysis of richard nixons speech by bobby ash. In his concise analysis of president richard nixon s silent majority speech, scott laderman elucidates how nixon used his policy of positive polarization to pursue his effort toward victory in vietnam, and demonstrates how president nixon s speech helped bring forth the rise of. Nixon s appeal to americas great silent majority is basically a call to your average joe schmoe american to stand up and do the right thing. Yet the president decided early in his administration that a quick withdrawal would result in a collapse of confidence in american leadership. A good portion of the public felt that they were represented by nixon s silent majority concept. President richard nixon s silent majority speech november 1969 in november 1969 united states president richard nixon responded to mounting criticism of the war in vietnam by trying to undercut demonstrators who had recently staged a nationwide day of protest.
T here has been some comment about the 50th anniversary, this past sunday, of richard nixon s appeal to the silent majority of americans to support his policy of handing over the conduct. The silent majority speech richard nixon, the vietnam war, and. Our flexible, affordable, entirely digital readers help you focus your classroom on primary sources. During his successful campaign for the presidency in 1968, richard nixon promised he had a secret plan to end the war in. Nixon, patton, and a silent majority sentiment about the viet. Pundits rank the speech as the most effective of nixon s presidency, and most biographies inclu. President nixons silent majority speech on vietnam war cspan. Nixon introduced a phrase silent majority and a policyvietnamization of the war effortthat echo down to the present day. Content continued bibliography ethos automatic because he is the president of the united states nixon dressed in a plain black suit and plain tie to show that the matter was very serious and to not draw any attention away from the subject and onto himself. Vice president agnew blasts media reaction to nixon speech. It is arguably one of the rare the paragons of rhetoric as it was able to convincingly allay the fears of the nation while at the same time assure that the withdrawal of the troops is not to be construed a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength and unity. Watergates influence was felt in the clinton impeachment of 199899. The richard nixon presidential library and museum situ. The phrase has a long history, going back as far as richard nixon, who used it to push back against antiwar protesters and.
At the close of the speech, he requested the support of the great silent majority for his plans. President richard nixon goes on television and radio to call for national solidarity on the vietnam war effort and to gather support for his policies. The silent majority speech treats richard nixons address of november 3, 1969, as a lens through which to examine the latter years of the vietnam war and their significance to u. Student objectives examine richard nixons policies concerning the vietnam war in 1969, including vietnamization. The silent majority speech treats richard nixon s address of november 3, 1969, as a lens through which to examine the latter years of the vietnam war and their significance to u. The investigations into watergate that led to the resignation of richard nixon are a case study in the operation of the american constitution and political. At milestone documents, we believe that engaging with historys original voices is exciting for students and liberating for instructors. November 9, 1918 september 17, 1996 was the 39th vice president of the united states from 1969 until his resignation in 1973. Richard nixon tells the hippie and antiwar crowds to cut their hair, go out and get jobs, and let the real americansthose in the great silent majority decide whats best for the vietnam war. President nixon s address to the nation on the war in vietnam. Thus, to pull peoples feelings into play, nixon uses facts that are capable of luring the attention of its audiences. Speakola is a labour of love and id be very grateful if you would share, tweet or like it. When richard nixon gave the great silent majority speech, the united states was in a total cookiejar dilemma in vietnam.
In a television address to the american people, nixon contrasted the antiwar dissidents with the great silent majority. The defense of freedom is everybodys business not just americas business. American rhetoric online speech bank index of speeches mr. President nixon moves the majority of americans to support his vietnam war strategy. This may sound great and all, but there is a dark side to nixon s speech giving force. Sep 10, 2015 nixons silent majority was not about race. Exrepublican george will debunks the partys bogus claims.
A rhetorical analysis of richard nixons speech by bobby. Silent majority speech 1969 log in to see the full document and commentary. S involvement in the vietnam war, involving a gradual withdrawl of american troops and replacement of them with south vietnamese forces. The silent majority speech treats richard nixons address of november 3, 1969, as a lens through which to examine the latter years of the vietnam. Presidential audiovideo archive richard nixon richard m. When he took office, nearly 36,000 americans had been killed in vietnam. This may sound great and all, but there is a dark side to nixons speechgiving force. Full text and video of president richard nixon s 1969 address on the war in vietnam, more commonly known as the silent majority speech. In employing the silent majority, nixon developed a. Sep 26, 2012 1968, during tet, the vietnam lunar new year viet cong and north vietnamese army raiding forces attacked provincial capitals throughout vietnam, even seizing the u. The battle between the mostly white lefty college kids and richard nixons. Go here for more about nixon s the great silent majority speech.