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During part of 1941 and 1942, when the Luftwaffe was busy in Russia, the German radio regaled its home audience with stories of devastating air raids on London. Now, we are aware that those raids did not happen. But what use would our knowledge be if the Germans conquered Britain? For the purpose of a future historian, did those raids happen, or didn't they? The answer is: If Hitler survives, they happened, and if he falls they didn't happen. So with innumerable other events of the past ten or twenty years. Is the Protocols of the Elders of Zion a genuine document? Did Trotsky plot with the Nazis? How many German aeroplanes were shot down in the Battle of Britain? Does Europe welcome the New Order? In no case do you get one answer which is universally accepted because it is true: in each case you get a number of totally incompatible answers, one of which is finally adopted as the result of a physical struggle. History is written by the winners.

George Orwell#14

WarTruthHistoryPowerTotalitarianismPropaganda

About this quote

What does it mean?
Orwell argues that historical truth can be rewritten by totalitarian regimes to suit their narrative, making objective facts dependent on political outcomes.
In plain terms
History changes based on who wins the war and controls the stories.
What can you take from it?
Power determines what is accepted as historical truth.

Where it applies

  • analyzing historical narratives
  • understanding censorship
  • studying wartime propaganda

Putting it to work

  • verify historical claims
  • contextualize sources
  • recognize bias

Questions to consider

  • How do we verify truth when authorities disagree?
  • What makes a historical event real?

Another view

The quote assumes a clear victor dictates history, ignoring counter-narratives that may persist.

More from George Orwell

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  3. England is perhaps the only great country whose intellectuals are ashamed of their own nationality. In left-wing circles it is always felt that there is someth…

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