Rhetorical Analysis Of Richard Nixon's The Greatest Silent Majority

Richard Nixon gives the speech “The Greatest Silent Majority” during the Vietnamese war to convince Americans to support South Vietnam in their war against the communist takeover from North Vietnam. To specify, the speech directs primarily to the Silent Majority, the people who oppose the Vietnamese war. Throughout the speech, Nixon uses rhetorical appeals to support the freedom of South Vietnam and the pride of the United States. In 1955, communist North Vietnam begins war with South Vietnam. North Vietnam wants to reunite the North and South and has the support of China along with the rebellious South Vietnam army. South Vietnam does not want to be taken over by communists, and won’t be, with the support of the United States. Dwight D. Eisenhower is the president when the war

begins (Alchin). Later in the war, Lyndon B. Johnson became the next president preceded by John F. Kennedy. In 1969, Nixon became the thirty-seventh president. Fourteen years into the war, some Americans want Nixon to end United States involvement due to the huge number of casualties in the previous years (Alchin). Others believe that if America leaves the war, North Vietnam will seize control of South Vietnam and communism will eventually spread to other parts of Asia (Rohn). Having the support of America is essential for the success of the war, leading Nixon to give the speech “The Greatest Silent Majority”.
Nixon uses friendly pronouns to communicate with his audience to build his ethos. Additionally, he also uses professional diction to describe the seriousness of the war, building a relationship with the audience to make himself more appealing. The opening words, “Good evening, my fellow Americans”, demonstrate Nixon greeting the audience politely. Nixon’s friendly tone serves the development of his ethos. First, “Fellow” describes his relationship with the audience as equals instead of different ranking individuals: president and ordinary citizens. Secondly, “Americans” creates a sense of nationalistic pride in the audience, which also highlights Nixon’s pride in his country to unite himself with the audience members. Thirdly, “We Americans” also invokes national pride (Nixon). The phrase distinguishes the United States from other countries by suggesting that America is unique and capable. In addition, this phrase also categorizes North Vietnamese as aliens to Americans. Nixon wants the audience members to know that he too is disappointed by the way the previous presidents handled the issue of the war. To clearly state that he sides with the people, Nixon says, “And many others, I among them, have been strongly critical of the way the war has been conducted”.Nixon builds his credibility by establishing his responsibilities as the president United States and by strengthening his character from stories from past accounts. There are two main beliefs in America at this time: the belief that America should withdraw all troops from South Vietnam and the belief that America should continue to help South Vietnam. To clarify, many Americans are tired of being in a war for fourteen years, therefore they want to end United States support. If Nixon chooses to end American involvement, he will gain popularity allowing him to be re-elected for the next term because this view is more common. However, Nixon’s personal beliefs lead him to want America to continue aiding South Vietnam. “But I have a greater obligation than to think only of the years of my Administration, and of the next election. I had to think of the effect of my decision on the next generation, and on the future of peace and freedom in America, and in the world” Nixon says, claiming that he is not making choices to please the people in order to get re-elected for his own benefit; he is choosing to continue fighting because he believes it is the right thing to do, implying he is unselfish and looks to the greater good of all people. The glittering generalities peace and freedom are desired by all people; therefore, Nixon uses these words to emphasize that it is not just Americans who want freedom and peace, but South Vietnamese people also want freedom and peace. Nixon says “But as President of the United States, I would be untrue to my oath of office if I allowed the policy of this nation to be dictated by the minority who hold that point of view and who try to impost on it the nation by mounting demonstrations in the street”. Again, he ensures the audience that he is worthy of being the President by promising to meet the responsibilities that are expected of him, strengthening his character.
Nixon says, “We have faced other crises in our history.” to envelop a sense of unity between the people using logical thinking. Reminding Americans of past times when they have overcome hardships is another logical way Nixon unises America into thinking they can overcome the Vietnam war as well. Nixon uses imagery of war to appeal the the audience member’s emotions. When speaking about North Vietnam, he says “They murdered more than 50,000 people, and hundreds of thousands more died in slave labor camps” (Nixon), specifically using this fact because it is tragic and he hopes to urge Americans to stand with him. “Murdered” is used to villainize North Vietnam making Americans want to siege their power. He urges Americans to stop the “bloody reign of terror” that the North has brought (Nixon). Again, he uses words with bad connotations to create dislike of the Communists. Nixon says, “3,000 civilians were clubbed, shot to death, and buried in the mass grave” expose the way South Vietnamese people are treated so that Americans will want to help those suffering. To describe the effects of leaving war, he says “This would cost more lives. It would not bring peace. It would bring more war”. Nixon also suggests that if the United States leaves the war, all of the lives already lost would have been in vain; even more people would lose their lives if the United States left the war. He says “Where the lives of our young men are involved” (Nixon) to describe the dangerous situations the troops are in. Nixon says “This week I will have to sign 83 letters to mothers, fathers, wives, and loved ones of men who have given their lives for America in Vietnam” to memorialize the service men who have died. Nixon gives horrifying imagery to create sadness in the audience members. Nixon expects that audience members will feel ethically pushed to help the suffering people. Nixon says “The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed”, claiming that the war will be ended sooner if Americans support his decisions using the people's’ interest of ending the war quickly to receive support.
Nixon uses logic to argue that there is no peaceful solution to the war.

He uses facts and predictions in order to appeal to the audience. “Hanoi has refused to even discuss our proposals” Nixon states to show that American efforts to end the war peacefully have failed. Nixon says “It has become clear that the obstacle in negotiating an end to the war is not the President of the United States”, characterizing the negotiation as an obstacle along with placing the blame on North Vietnam. The predicted the outcome if America continues to aid South Vietnam is positive. “By December 15 over 60,000 men will have been withdrawn from South Vietnam, including 20 percent of all our combat forces. The South Vietnamese have continued to gain in strength” Nixon states, giving audience members hope in peace in the near future. “I have not, and do not, intent to announce the timetable for our program... They would simply wait until our forces had withdrawn and them move in” Nixon reasonably argues. While many Americans wish to see a timeline of troop withdrawals, Nixon argues that it cannot be published because the North would invade after the American troops leave the South tactical military

ideas.
In Richard Nixon’s speech to Americans facing war, he humbles himself and connects with the audience while he also establishes his power and responsibilities as the president building his ethos. Nixon speaks about the Vietnam War in an effort to persuade the American people to stand with him and continue to aid South Vietnam. Nixon uses powerful diction when describing the tragedies of war. He alienates the communist enemies and connects Americans with South Vietnamese people by stating that they both value freedom and peace. He also argues that continuing to fight in the war is the only way to stop the spread of communism. Nixon calls on the morals of Americans to stand with him in the fight to protect the weak because America believes in peace for all nations. While there is debate about the actual winner of the Vietnam War, Nixon gives one of the most memorable speeches in history and he is highly successful in persuading the American people to stand with him (americanrhetoric.com) .