The answer to this question can be found in Chapter Five of Animal Farm. By this point, Napoleon has, using the dogs, driven his rival Snowball from the farm, and he has taken Snowball's plans for the windmill, which he always opposed, as his own. Squealer, who has emerged as Napoleon's propaganda minister, explains that the plan for the windmill had been Napoleon's all along. Apparently, according to Squealer, Snowball stole the brilliant plans for the windmill from Napoleon, who then pretended to oppose the plan in order to get rid of Snowball. Squealer describes this plan as "tactics," a word with which the animals are unfamiliar. Why do they believe it, even though they don't understand? The answer is partly because they don't understand. They are so bewildered by what has happened that perhaps Squealer's version of events is as plausible as any other. Also, Squealer, we see through the book, embodies the totalitarian's ability to twist the truth in service of power. He is good at what he does, even if what he is saying is ridiculous. But perhaps the most compelling reason why the animals believe Squealer is summed up in the chapter's final sentence:
...Squealer spoke so persuasively, and the dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly, that they accepted his explanation [for Snowball's exile and Napoleon's new-found support for the windmill] without further questions.
This combination of fear and misinformation is very effective in allowing Napoleon to consolidate his power.
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