Final answer:
The Silent Majority refers to the significant but less outspoken group of Americans who supported President Nixon's policies, especially concerning the Vietnam War. These individuals are considered to typically hold conservative views and believe their voices are not heard in politics, impacting elections and policy-making through their quiet majority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Silent Majority refers to a significant portion of Americans who did not express their opinions publicly but nonetheless supported the policies and actions of President Richard Nixon during his tenure. This term became famously associated with Nixon after his 1969 speech where he appealed directly to the Silent Majority of Americans to support his Vietnam War policies.
The idea behind the Silent Majority is that this group is neither vocal nor visible in public debates or protests but constitutes a majority that can impact political decisions and elections. Often, the Silent Majority is considered to have conservative views and to support traditional values. Historically, it is perceived as being composed of northern, White, blue-collar workers who felt that their opinions were overlooked in the political process.
It's essential to understand the Silent Majority in the context of majority theory or majoritarianism, which is the belief that the majority's will shapes political decisions and the division of resources within a society. This concept also reflects on the power dynamics where majority groups can sometimes enact policies that secure their status, potentially overlooking or suppressing the needs and rights of minority groups.