Most people believe our government could be hiding something from its citizens. Rumors can develop into conspiracy theories, which sometimes prove to be true, as evidenced by recently declassified government documents about UFOs. Here are 10 disturbing projects that the government didn’t want you to know about.
Project MKUltra
Following the end of World War II, the U.S. government began a top-secret program called MKUltra. Headed by Sidney Gottlieb (pictured above) and the CIA, the program studied mind-altering substances on non-consenting individuals. The aim was to develop a “truth serum” that would expose KGB spies. They also wanted to develop brainwashing and mind-controlling tactics. Many universities, hospitals, and prisons across the country participated from 1953 until 1973, when ethical concerns prevailed.
Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Speaking of ethical concerns, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service, followed 600 African-American men with syphilis over the course of 40 years. The study began in 1932 and continued even after a cure for the disease was discovered. Researchers used placebos instead of treating the disease. When articles about the study were published, public outcry rightfully ended the research in 1972. About 128 died from syphilis or related complications.
Operation Paperclip
After World War II, the U.S. and Soviet Union were locked in a stalemate during the Cold War. To gain an advantage, Operation Paperclip brought 1,600 former Nazi scientists and engineers to work on U.S. military and space programs. The top-secret recruitment raised ethical concerns but not before leading to advancements in aerodynamics, such as helicopter technology. The program lasted from 1945 to 1959.
COINTELPRO
COINTELPRO was a series of projects carried out by the FBI to surveil, infiltrate, discredit, and disrupt political groups such as feminist organizations, civil rights leaders, anti-Vietnam activists, and communist organizers. Between 1956 and 1971, the FBI forged documents, planted media reports, harassed, and wrongfully imprisoned political group leaders. Aimed at protecting national security, the projects were unconstitutional as they prevented the right to freedom of speech.
Operation Gladio
The U.S. government might have had an unhealthy fear of communism, as previous examples have suggested. Another unethical program that was developed was Operation Gladio, the Italian branch of a larger operation that ran projects aimed at preventing communism from infiltrating the West. It installed secret operatives and organizations in other countries; the damage that these programs did is still being unearthed, and the U.S. has denied involvement.
Operation Northwoods
Again, the U.S. government was concerned with communists ruling other countries, in this case, Cuba. Operation Northwoods was a top-secret plan that involved a “false flag” attack. The U.S. was going to stage an attack on civilian and military sites and blame Cuba, forcing them into a war. Luckily, President John Kennedy didn’t approve it and the plan never went into action. The plan was only declassified and made public in 1997.
Operation Midnight Climax
Before LSD and the Hippie Movement caught on, the CIA was testing the effects of the drug on non-consenting individuals in San Francisco. The agency paid sex workers to lure victims into a safe house, then, through various prompts, tried to convince them to carry out criminal activities, such as robbery and assault. The operatives involved in the project also indulged in sex and drugs. But like many U.S. government programs, ethical concerns ended the study; none of the results were ever released.
My Lai Massacre
In 1968, the Vietnam War was well underway, with the U.S. seeing valiant resistance from Vietnamese forces, who engaged in guerrilla warfare. A company of U.S. soldiers arrived at the My Lai village expecting to get into a firefight. Shooting started and continued after they realized no one present was armed. The company ended up murdering close to 500 villagers, many of them women and children. Some were also raped. It was a terrible moment that was kept secret for a long time.
Project SUNSHINE
Despite its cheery title, Project SUNSHINE was a top-secret study conducted by the U.S. government. Scientists were looking at the effects of radioactivity on human tissue. But to do that they needed cadavers. Many of the bodies were taken from hospitals, psychiatric wards, and even cemeteries. However, the problem was that they never asked families for consent. This brought up ethical issues involving how the remains of the deceased should be managed. Now, obtaining consent is the standard.
Operation Fast and Furious
The first thing that this item brings is Paul Walker and Vin Diesel street racing. Operation Fast and Furious was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). The ATF allowed weapons dealers to sell licensed weapons to known criminals, who then transported them to Mexico. Some of those weapons were found at crime scenes. The aim was to track cartel members, but it ultimately contributed to the violence surrounding the infamous drug trade syndicate.
