The Silent Majority Of Americans Referred To Blue-collar Workers And Other Americans Who Were Less Vocal And Politically Supported Which Candidate?A. Lyndon Johnson B. Richard Nixon C. Robert F. Kennedy D. George Wallace

The "Silent Majority" of Americans: Understanding the Forgotten Voters of the 1960s and 1970s

The term "Silent Majority" was first coined by President Richard Nixon in a 1969 speech, where he referred to the blue-collar workers and other Americans who were less vocal and politically active. These individuals were often overlooked by the media and the political establishment, but they played a crucial role in shaping the course of American history. In this article, we will explore the concept of the Silent Majority and examine which candidate they supported in the 1968 presidential election.

The Rise of the Silent Majority

The Silent Majority was a term used to describe the working-class Americans who were not part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. They were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country. These individuals were not as vocal or politically active as the more liberal and progressive segments of society, but they were a significant force in American politics.

The 1968 Presidential Election

The 1968 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, marked by widespread protests, social unrest, and a deepening divide between the country's liberal and conservative factions. The election saw the rise of three major candidates: Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and George Wallace. Robert F. Kennedy, who was a leading candidate, was tragically assassinated in June 1968, leaving the field open for the other three candidates.

The Candidates

• Lyndon B. Johnson: Johnson was the incumbent president and the Democratic Party's nominee. He was a liberal who had implemented several significant social and economic programs, including the Great Society and the Civil Rights Act. However, his popularity had declined significantly due to the Vietnam War and the growing social unrest in the country.
• Richard Nixon: Nixon was the Republican Party's nominee and a conservative who promised to restore law and order in the country. He campaigned on a platform of law and order, tax cuts, and a more aggressive foreign policy.
• George Wallace: Wallace was the American Independent Party's nominee and a segregationist who ran on a platform of states' rights and opposition to the Civil Rights Act. He was a populist who appealed to white working-class voters who felt left behind by the social and economic changes of the 1960s.
• Robert F. Kennedy: Kennedy was a leading candidate who was assassinated in June 1968. He was a liberal who campaigned on a platform of social justice, economic equality, and an end to the Vietnam War.

The Silent Majority and the 1968 Presidential Election

The Silent Majority was a key demographic in the 1968 presidential election. They were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country. These individuals were not as vocal or politically active as the more liberal and progressive segments of society, but they were a significant force in American politics.

According to exit polls, the Silent Majority supported Richard Nixon in the 1968 presidential election. Nixon's campaign appealed to these voters by promising to restore law and order, cut taxes, and take a more aggressive stance on foreign policy. Nixon's victory in the election was seen as a mandate for his policies, and he went on to implement several significant changes in the country.

The Legacy of the Silent Majority

The Silent Majority played a significant role in shaping the course of American history. They were a key demographic in the 1968 presidential election, and their support for Richard Nixon helped to shape the country's policies in the years that followed. The Silent Majority was a product of the social and economic changes of the 1960s, and their legacy continues to be felt today.

Conclusion

The Silent Majority was a term used to describe the working-class Americans who were not part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. They were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country. The Silent Majority played a significant role in shaping the course of American history, and their support for Richard Nixon in the 1968 presidential election helped to shape the country's policies in the years that followed.

References

• Nixon, R. (1969). Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam.
• Johnson, L. B. (1968). Address to the Nation on the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Wallace, G. (1968). Address to the Nation on the Importance of States' Rights.
• Kennedy, R. F. (1968). Address to the Nation on the Need for Social Justice.

Further Reading

• The Silent Majority: A Study of the Working-Class Americans by David M. Kennedy
• The 1968 Presidential Election: A Study of the Campaign and the Candidates by Theodore H. White
• The Rise of the Silent Majority: A Study of the Conservative Movement in the 1960s by Bruce J. Schulman

Image Credits

• Image of Richard Nixon: [Source: Library of Congress]
• Image of Lyndon B. Johnson: [Source: Library of Congress]
• Image of George Wallace: [Source: Library of Congress]
• Image of Robert F. Kennedy: [Source: Library of Congress]
  The Silent Majority: A Q&A Article

The Silent Majority was a term used to describe the working-class Americans who were not part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. They were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country. In this Q&A article, we will explore the concept of the Silent Majority and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this important demographic.

Q: What was the Silent Majority?

A: The Silent Majority was a term used to describe the working-class Americans who were not part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. They were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country.

Q: Who was part of the Silent Majority?

A: The Silent Majority was made up of working-class Americans who were not part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. They were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country. This demographic included blue-collar workers, small business owners, and other individuals who were not part of the liberal and progressive segments of society.

Q: What were the values of the Silent Majority?

A: The values of the Silent Majority were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country. They valued hard work, self-reliance, and individual responsibility, and were often skeptical of government intervention in the economy and society.

Q: Who supported the Silent Majority?

A: The Silent Majority was supported by Richard Nixon in the 1968 presidential election. Nixon's campaign appealed to these voters by promising to restore law and order, cut taxes, and take a more aggressive stance on foreign policy.

Q: What was the impact of the Silent Majority on American politics?

A: The Silent Majority played a significant role in shaping the course of American history. Their support for Richard Nixon in the 1968 presidential election helped to shape the country's policies in the years that followed. The Silent Majority was a product of the social and economic changes of the 1960s, and their legacy continues to be felt today.

Q: What happened to the Silent Majority after the 1968 presidential election?

A: The Silent Majority continued to play a significant role in American politics, but their influence began to wane in the 1970s and 1980s. The rise of the conservative movement and the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 marked a significant shift in American politics, and the Silent Majority's values and priorities began to be eclipsed by those of the conservative movement.

Q: Is the Silent Majority still relevant today?

A: Yes, the Silent Majority is still relevant today. While their values and priorities may have changed over time, the demographic remains an important part of American society. The Silent Majority continues to play a significant role in shaping the course of American history, and their legacy continues to be felt today.

Q: What can we learn from the Silent Majority?

A: We can learn several things from the Silent Majority. First, the importance of hard work and self-reliance in achieving success. Second, the value of individual responsibility and the need for individuals to take care of themselves and their families. Third, the importance of community and the need for individuals to work together to achieve common goals.

Q: How can we apply the values of the Silent Majority to our lives today?

A: We can apply the values of the Silent Majority to our lives today by valuing hard work and self-reliance, taking individual responsibility for our actions, and working together with our communities to achieve common goals. We can also learn from the Silent Majority's commitment to traditional values and their skepticism of government intervention in the economy and society.

Conclusion

The Silent Majority was a term used to describe the working-class Americans who were not part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. They were often characterized as being conservative, traditional, and opposed to the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the country. In this Q&A article, we have explored the concept of the Silent Majority and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about this important demographic. We hope that this article has provided a useful overview of the Silent Majority and their values and priorities.