Goering's Statement at the Nuremberg Trial
Goering at Nuremberg
September 13, 2005
After the collapse of Nazi Germany and after Hitler's suicide in his Berlin chancellery, the Allies seized his number two, Marshal Hermann Goering, and he, along with several dignitaries of the regime, were brought before a court of justice that held its sessions in Nuremberg. A certain number were hanged, others sentenced to prison terms ranging up to life imprisonment (such as Rudolf Hess, the Führer's "spiritual son," who died in Spandau prison, of which he was the last inmate). None of the principal those responsible for Nazi exactions showed the slightest guilt regarding the acts committed, and many revealed their way of thinking with crudeness and cynicism. Goering, knowing that he would not escape the death penalty, preferred to commit suicide in his cell by swallowing a cyanide capsule. Here is one of the statements he made at the trial, which resonates today with particularly acute relevance (transmitted by David Vidal)
| Of course, the majority of people do not want war. In the end it is the leaders of a country who determine its policy. It is simply a matter of choosing the means to lead the people in one direction or another, whether it be a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, a parliamentary regime or a communist dictatorship. Whatever people say, the people can always be brought to adhere to the choices and bets made by their leaders. It is easy. All that needs to be said to these people is that they are being attacked, by labeling pacifists as lacking patriotism, by accusing them of exposing the fatherland to danger. It works the same way in every country in the world. |
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A few quotes from Goebbels, found by Nicolas Charpail, Jean-Michel Seracchioli and Ralph Chaléon:
The ideal is for the press to be organized with such finesse that it is in some way a piano on which the government can play, and for criticism to be permitted only to those who are not afraid of going to a concentration camp.
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When I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver.
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The bigger the lie, the more people believe it.
-
He who can rule the street will one day rule the State, for every form of political power and dictatorship has its roots in the street.
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It is one of the absolute rights of the State to preside over the formation of public opinion.
-
Lie, lie, lie, again and always, something will surely remain of it!
-
I want only light, superficial, entertaining but stupid films to be made for the French at present... The French people will surely be satisfied with that!
(Goebbels also directed all film productions)
- The most brilliant propaganda technique will never succeed as long as one fundamental principle is not constantly kept in mind: one must limit oneself to a few points and repeat them again and again.
Intellectual activity is a danger to the shaping of minds.
The truth is the worst enemy of the State.
A few quotes from Goebbels, found by Nicolas Charpail, Jean-Michel Seracchioli and Ralph Chaléon:
The ideal is for the press to be organized with such finesse that it is in some way a piano on which the government can play, and for criticism to be permitted only to those who are not afraid of going to a concentration camp.
-
When I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver.
-
The bigger the lie, the more people believe it.
-
He who can rule the street will one day rule the State, for every form of political power and dictatorship has its roots in the street.
-
It is one of the absolute rights of the State to preside over the formation of public opinion.
-
Lie, lie, lie, again and always, something will surely remain of it!
-
I want only light, superficial, entertaining but stupid films to be made for the French at present... The French people will surely be satisfied with that!
(Goebbels also directed all film productions)
-
The most brilliant propaganda technique will never succeed as long as one fundamental principle is not constantly kept in mind: one must limit oneself to a few points and repeat them again and again.
Intellectual activity is a danger to the shaping of minds.
The truth is the worst enemy of the State.
A few quotes from Goebbels, found by Nicolas Charpail, Jean-Michel Seracchioli and Ralph Chaléon:
The ideal is for the press to be organized with such finesse that it is in some way a piano on which the government can play, and for criticism to be permitted only to those who are not afraid of going to a concentration camp.
-
When I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver.
-
The bigger the lie, the more people believe it.
-
He who can rule the street will one day rule the State, for every form of political power and dictatorship has its roots in the street.
-
It is one of the absolute rights of the State to preside over the formation of public opinion.
-
Lie, lie, lie, again and always, something will surely remain of it!
-
I want only light, superficial, entertaining but stupid films to be made for the French at present... The French people will surely be satisfied with that!
(Goebbels also directed all film productions)
-
The most brilliant propaganda technique will never succeed as long as one fundamental principle is not constantly kept in mind: one must limit oneself to a few points and repeat them again and again.
Intellectual activity is a danger to the shaping of minds.
The truth is the worst enemy of the State.
A few quotes from Goebbels, found by Nicolas Charpail, Jean-Michel Seracchioli and Ralph Chaléon:
The ideal is for the press to be organized with such finesse that it is in some way a piano on which the government can play, and for criticism to be permitted only to those who are not afraid of going to a concentration camp.
-
When I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver.
-
The bigger the lie, the more people believe it.
-
He who can rule the street will one day rule the State, for every form of political power and dictatorship has its roots in the street.
-
It is one of the absolute rights of the State to preside over the formation of public opinion.
-
Lie, lie, lie, again and always, something will surely remain of it!
-
I want only light, superficial, entertaining but stupid films to be made for the French at present... The French people will surely be satisfied with that!
(Goebbels also directed all film productions)
-
The most brilliant propaganda technique will never succeed as long as one fundamental principle is not constantly kept in mind: one must limit oneself to a few points and repeat them again and again.
Intellectual activity is a danger to the shaping of minds.
The truth is the worst enemy of the State.
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