Allies, Enemies, and Warfare

[sportlover]

The ally and enemy of Oceania is always changing between Eastasia and Eurasia throughout the course of the book. During Hate Week, a speech was given about the enemy of Oceania when suddenly half way through the speech the enemy changed from Eurasia to Eastasia. On instinct, the people in the crowd tore down the posters and banners claiming that Oceania was at war with Eurasia and blamed Goldstein for this misprinted issue. Almost immediately following the speech, the Ministry of Truth went straight to work and didn’t stop for three days. The people of the Ministry of Truth worked for three days to remove any proof that Oceania was ever at war with Eurasia. Has constant warfare affected Oceania so much that the people don't care who they are at war with?

[1509]

That's an interesting question, but as seen throughout the book the people will always rally together and cheer for Oceania whether they're at war with Eastasia or Eurasia. You kind of contradicted yourself though.. You said that during the speech the enemy changed and the people quickly tore down anything relating their recent ally, and instantly they all believed they had always been at war with Eastasia because that's what they were told and they had no proof otherwise. So no, I don't think "constant warfare" has affected the people of Oceania on how they see the war, they will always cheer for Oceania and hate the enemy, whether they're told it's Eurasia or Eastasia.

[Irregular]

I think this would relate to the idea of Ingsoc and one of its doctrines; War is Peace. Whether Oceania is fighting with Eastasia or Eurasia, they are kept in peace because war can unite a nation together. Nationalism and devotion takes place as a distraction for the people. The Party also uses war to keep the people of Oceania in fear, and thus, under control. This tactic used by the Party can help to maintain their power over the people, as many totalitarian leaders would.
To answer your question, I believe that the people don't necessarily care for who they're fighting. They support their own nation greater than they hate the others.

[XPersonX]

No, the people don't seem to care all thacare about who they are at war with, as seen with the two minutes hate and hate week the citizens of Oceania hate whomever they are at war with and wish to defeat them. The speech at hate week is just another example of doublethink. The citizens believe automatically that they had always been enemies with Eastasia because the party and Big Brother said so and therefore it must be true. Though the citizens of Oceania hate whichever enemy they are at war with, it isn't because of the "constant warefare", it's because if they did care and spoke out they'd be killed, vaporized. And, consequently, even if there were some who cared, you wouldn't hear about it.

[AngryLlama23]

The people are taught to accept what they are told, because if they believe something different; it's thought crime.
So the people are told to believe that Oceania is at war with Eastasia, then they have always been at war with Eastasia and Eurasia has always been an ally. This is the power that the party wields, they can keep citizens scared and the party forces people to believe lies.