Answer: The party mottos’ call the reader’s attention since the beginning because they seem to be completely illogical:
War is peace
Freedom is slavery
Ignorance is strength
But in fact, they are perfect to controll any country. In any given free society, those words are thought to be antonymous, but in 1984 we have to take into account that the party needed its citizens to be completely docile to be able to impose any idea that serves the government interests, without question it.
Firstly, “war is peace” means that Oceania citizens will stay united while fighting against other countries, therefore, war is considered an opportunity to show unity and to develop a stronger sense of nationality within the country. This motto is used to motivate people to think that they belong to a group and have the same interests, but those interests are in fact the government’s.
Secondly “freedom is slavery” it is used to make citizens believe that any person not following the party is condemned to become a slave, because the party is the only available option to achieve freedom. If you are against them, then you are seeking slavery.
Thirdly, “ignorance is strength” is the most important motto because wise people, can challenge government impositions, but an ignorant, does not have any tool to defend himself from the imposition of the powerful. By making people ignorant, the government is taking people’s individuality, because they cannot think by its own. Thus, they are creating robots that would do whatever they are told to do.