Whilst awaiting trial at Nuremberg,
Herman Goering said the following:
"Why of course the people don't want
war. Why should some poor slob on a farm
want to risk his life in a war when the
best he can get out of it is to come
back to his farm in one piece? Naturally
the common people don't want war neither
in Russia, nor in England, nor for that
matter in Germany. That is understood.
But, after all, it is the leaders of the
country who determine the 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 tell them they are being attacked,
and denounce the peacemakers for lack of
patriotism and exposing the country to
danger. It works the same in any
country."