A Young Americans Discovery of the Silent Majority Essay -- Essays P

A Young American's Discovery of the Silent Majority History panders to the glorious and dramatic while often there is a story untold. Perhaps it is less exciting, but no less crucial in understanding history as a whole. Thus is the story of the â€Å"silent majority.† On November 3rd 1969, one year after his victory in the United States Presidential race, President Nixon issued an address to the American public in which he coined the term â€Å"silent majority.† President Nixon’s address began by describing the situation he inherited when taking office. Nixon described the situation as such: â€Å"The war had been going on for four years. One thousand Americans had been killed in action. The training program for the South Vietnamese was behind schedule; 540,000 Americans were in Vietnam with no plans to reduce the number. No progress had been made at the negotiations in Paris and the United States had not put forth a comprehensive peace proposal. The war was causing deep division at home and criticism from many of our friends as well as our enemies abroad (Episode).† President Nixon then proceeded to detail the progress made and the different actions taken by his administration throughout the course of the first year of his first term. Nixon described the pressure on his administration to end the war. He referred to a protest in San Francisco in which Protesters carried picket signs donning the clause, â€Å"Lose in Vietnam, bring the boys home!† To this President Nixon responded: â€Å"Well, one of the strengths of our free society is that any American has a right to reach that conclusion and to advocate that point of view. But as president of the United States, I would be untrue to my oath of office if I allowed the policy of this nati... ...speech/ >. Freed, Kenneth J. "Kissinger Interview." Associated Press featured in Albany Student Press. 6 Feb. 1973 Frost, Michell. "On the Other Hand." Albany Student Press. 4 Dec. 1970. Frost, Mitchell. "View From the Right." Albany Student Press. 30 Jan. 1973 Oringher, Maida. "Misplaced Priorities." Albany Student Press. 25 Jan. 1972. Pyle, Richard. "Vietnam's New Map." Associated Press featured in Albany Student Press. 31 Oct. 1972. Rosten, Leo. A Trumpet For Reason. Garden City, NY: Doubleday &Company Inc, 1970. The Tactical Leadership. "SUNYA Protests." Albany Student Press. 25 Jan 1972 Weintraub, Peter. "Vietnam Vets: America's Most Alienated." Albany Student Press. 20 Oct. 1972. Whistle, Gary. Interview with Amanda May Whistle. 25 April 2005 Wire Services Compilation. "Rocky Supports Nixon." Albany Student Press. 25 Jan 1972.