Lessons from the Vikings: Fear as a Tool of Power and Control

Throughout history, fear has been wielded as a weapon just as effectively as swords and shields. One of the most striking examples of this is the Viking raids on the British Isles. Despite having inferior weapons, being vastly outnumbered, and operating far from home, the Vikings terrorized Anglo-Saxon kingdoms for centuries. Their success wasn’t just about brute force—it was about psychological warfare.

The same tactics used by the Vikings are still in play today. Governments, media, and elites use fear to maintain control, suppress resistance, and keep populations obedient. Understanding how the Vikings manipulated fear can teach us how to resist modern fear-based control mechanisms.

How the Vikings Used Fear to Their Advantage

1. Inferior Weapons, Superior Psychological Warfare

The Vikings were not armed with the best weapons of their time. Their swords and axes were crude compared to the finely crafted arms of the Anglo-Saxon and Frankish warriors. They had no heavy cavalry and no siege weapons. So how did they dominate?

Fear.

Tales of Viking brutality spread like wildfire through villages and towns long before they even arrived. The psychological impact of hearing that an unstoppable force was on its way often led to people fleeing instead of fighting. Many Anglo-Saxons, despite having the numbers to resist, abandoned their homes rather than pick up weapons and defend themselves.

2. The Power of Reputation and Mythology

The Vikings were not just warriors; they were master storytellers. After every raid, survivors spread exaggerated tales of their savagery—stories of churches burned, monks slaughtered, and women taken as slaves. Even though not every Viking raid was as catastrophic as the stories suggested, the legend of their brutality ensured that people feared them long before they arrived.

These stories made them seem almost supernatural—demons from the north, agents of destruction sent by the gods. This myth-making was powerful; it convinced people that resistance was futile.

Today, we see the same principle at work in modern media. When governments want to justify war, oppression, or control, they flood the public with terrifying narratives about enemies—whether it’s terrorists, pandemics, or economic collapse. The goal is the same: to make people feel powerless.

3. Small Numbers, Huge Impact

A Viking raiding party was often made up of just a few hundred men. By comparison, Anglo-Saxon armies numbered in the thousands. And yet, these small groups wreaked havoc across Britain for generations.

The key? Fear immobilized resistance.

The mere sight of a longship on the horizon sent entire towns into panic. Instead of gathering together and fighting back in overwhelming numbers, people scattered. They were too paralyzed by the horror stories to realize that they could have easily outnumbered the raiders.

This is exactly how modern elites keep populations in check. Instead of uniting, people stay divided, paralyzed by fear of economic collapse, war, or social unrest. We are conditioned to believe that resistance is futile, just like the Anglo-Saxons were conditioned to believe the Vikings were invincible.

How Fear Is Used Against Us Today

The same tactics used by the Vikings to control and subdue their enemies are being used on us today by governments, corporations, and media giants. Here’s how:

1. Manufactured Crises and the “Order Out of Chaos” Strategy

The principle of “order out of chaos” (Ordo Ab Chao) is a classic strategy: create a crisis, spread fear, then present yourself as the solution.

• Governments create fear by pushing constant narratives of terrorism, health crises, or financial collapse.
• People panic, becoming desperate for stability and security.
• The government then offers solutions—usually involving new laws, surveillance, and control measures.

The Viking raids were a form of chaos that made rulers desperate enough to pay Danegeld (a tax to stop Viking attacks). Today, governments use crises to justify increasing their own power.

2. Divide and Conquer

If the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms had united earlier, they could have stopped the Viking threat much sooner. Instead, they were divided—each kingdom focusing on its own survival.

Now, the same tactics are used to keep people fighting among themselves:

• Political division (left vs. right)
• Social division (race, gender, religion)
• Economic division (rich vs. poor)

As long as we are fighting each other, we are too distracted to fight those actually in control.

3. Fear as a Tool of Compliance

People controlled by fear will accept almost anything. Just as Anglo-Saxon villages handed over their gold to avoid being raided, modern societies hand over their freedoms to avoid perceived dangers.

Governments know this. That’s why fear is the most powerful tool in their arsenal.

How to Break Free from Fear and Take Back Control

1. Recognize Fear Tactics

Be aware of when fear is being used to manipulate you. Every time you see a terrifying news story, ask:

• Who benefits from this fear?
• What solution are they offering, and does it involve giving up my freedom?

If the “solution” always leads to more control, surveillance, and government power, then the fear is being used against you.

2. Stop Fleeing—Stand and Fight

The Anglo-Saxons failed to resist because they ran instead of standing their ground. Today, resisting fear means:

• Speaking out against false narratives
• Questioning authority
• Rejecting fear-based compliance

3. Unite with Others

The Vikings succeeded because their enemies stayed divided. The more people who recognize the game being played, the less power fear has. Seek out like-minded individuals, form communities, and work together.

4. Take Back Control of Your Mind

Fear thrives in a weak mind. Strengthen yourself by:

• Avoiding constant fear-based media
• Learning self-reliance skills
• Focusing on solutions instead of problems

The more control you have over your own life, the less fear will influence you.

The Final Lesson from the Vikings

The Vikings were not gods. They were not invincible. They simply understood how to use fear better than their enemies did. Once the Anglo-Saxons united, learned from their mistakes, and stopped letting fear dictate their actions, they were able to push the Vikings back and reclaim their land.

We can do the same today. Fear is a weapon—but only if we allow it to be.

What do you think? Have you seen fear used as a tool of control in today’s world? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

(Related Post: Tyranny in Disguise: How Governments Use Crisis to Expand Power)