> I suspect the truth is that folks everywhere, at all times and places, have pretty much wanted to just be left alone with their families to be as happy as their circumstances will allow...<
A quote from Hermann Goering, Hitler’s right-hand man:
“Of course the people don’t want war. But after all, it’s the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it’s a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.”
Exactly. All one must do is convince folks there is some “promised land” where they can all be happy and they will join forces to do literally ANYTHING.