Hermann Goering

I seem to be on a bit of a WWII kick this week, so to add to the post on Vichy France here is a quote from German politician Hermann Goering. He was a member of the Nazi Party, and this quote shows well that party's policy of control and manipulation. This quote comes from during the Nuremberg trials after WWII.

“Naturally the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. …Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

Gustav Giblert: Nuremberg Diaries
 

Goering committed suicide in 1946 just two hours before his execution.