The United States presidential election of 1968 was a wrenching national experience, conducted against a backdrop that included the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and subsequent race riots across the nation, widespread demonstrations against the Vietnam War across American university and college campuses, and violent confrontations between police and anti-war protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

In many ways, this election that year came down to the issue of the Vietnam War. Hawks and Doves are terms applied to people based on their views about a military conflict. A dove is someone who opposes war; a hawk favors entry into the war. These terms quickly became a popular way of labeling partisans in the Vietnam debate. 

During his campaign for the Presidency in 1968, Richard Nixon promised he had a "secret plan" to end the war in Vietnam. And on November 5, 1968, the Republican nominee, Richard Nixon won the election. President Richard Nixon went on television and radio to call for national solidarity on his war effort in Vietnam and to gather support for his policies. 

SILENT MAJORITY SPEECH – RICHARD NIXON (November 3, 1969)

“For almost 200 years, the policy of this Nation has been made under our Constitution by those leaders in the Congress and the White House elected by all of the people. If a vocal minority, however fervent its cause, prevails over reason and the will of the majority, this Nation has no future as a free society. And now I would like to address a word, if I may, to the young people of this Nation who are particularly concerned, and I understand why they are concerned, about this war.

I respect your idealism.

I share your concern for peace.

I want peace as much as you do.

…

…And so tonight-to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans-I ask for your support.

I pledged in my campaign for the Presidency to end the war in a way that we could win the peace. I have initiated a plan of action which will enable me to keep that pledge…The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed; for the more divided we are at home, the less likely, the enemy is to negotiate at Paris.

The Silent Majority was the hawks, who wanted to stay in the war until there was an honorable exit available. During his speech, President Nixon illustrated an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces would be a disaster for both South Vietnam, and the U.S. as well as world peace. Nixon went on to explain how he had taken the initiative in pursuing peace for Vietnam on many fronts but still, little progress was made due to the obstinacy of North Vietnamese leadership.