How did the government gain control over the people?

The government gained control over the people through a process in which they eliminated, over time, literature and media which could be deemed offensive or thought provoking. The government began noticing that the society was becoming unhappy about anything that wasn't staunchly politically correct so they began eliminating those things which aroused distress among the people. Eventually the government began making reading any unapproved literature illegal and burning books which caused people to feel emotional. The government figured the people would be easier to control is they emitted very little emotion and the government decided to give people the illusion of being smart and happy rather than giving them the tools to actually be and feel that way.

Read Captain Beatty's speech in the Hearth and the Salamander for more information.