10 false rumors spread by governments.

Here are ten examples of false rumors or disinformation campaigns spread by governments, often with the aim of political control, deception of the population, or influence on geopolitical situations. Note: Some of these rumors were later revealed by journalists, whistle-blowers, or historical research.

1. The “Great Famine in Ukraine was a natural disaster” (Soviet Union, 1930s)
   The Soviet Union under Stalin spread the rumor that the Holodomor (the massive famine in Ukraine) was the result of poor harvests due to natural causes. In reality, it was a government-imposed famine caused by forced collectivization and grain confiscation.

2. “The attack on Gleiwitz by Poland” (Nazi Germany, 1939)
   The German government claimed that Polish troops attacked a radio station in Gleiwitz (German territory), which was used as an excuse to invade Poland. However, this was an operation staged by the Germans themselves (Operation Himmler).

3. “Iraq has weapons of mass destruction” (United States, 2003)
   The US government claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction under Saddam Hussein. This was used to justify the invasion of Iraq. Later it turned out that these weapons did not exist.

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