‘Silent Majority’ - GCSE History Definition

The term 'Silent Majority' refers to a large group of people within a country or community who do not publicly express their opinions, particularly around political matters, yet are believed to hold significant influence. This concept gained popularity when US President Richard Nixon used it in 1969 to describe the Americans who did not publicly demonstrate against the Vietnam War. In a GCSE History context, understanding the 'Silent Majority' helps students explore how important public opinion is in controversial moments in History. It highlights the idea that while vocal minorities often dominate public debates, the majority of the public who do not express their opinion can significantly impact political decisions and electoral outcomes.