People's views and behaviors have been manipulated throughout history by a variety of indoctrination and thought control techniques. Propaganda, censorship, peer pressure, and even physical violence are some of these.
People frequently accepted the propaganda and other forms of indoctrination because they were cut off from competing ideas, lacked access to reliable information sources, and faced strong social pressure to adopt the prevailing worldview. People might also have been driven by fear, a need for safety, or a sense of loyalty to a specific leader or cause.
In times of crisis or war, when people are searching for clear solutions and capable leadership, indoctrination and thought control can be especially successful. To prevent being a victim of these strategies, people should be aware of them and seek out information from a variety of sources.