Newspeak: Language=thought?

At the very beginning of reading George Orwell's 1984, I skipped to the appendix, called The Principles of Newspeak. I wasn't sure about the restriction of thought; the concept outlined in the appendix seemed to me elusive. From the beginning of human existence, has language defined our thoughts and influenced our eventual actions? One would think so. In the idea of Newspeak, it's clear that some measure of control over 1984 society must exist; one wonders how far this control reaches. To change an entire language must require much control over a society. Is it worth it to try to influence human thought? It seems that control of a society and of thought through control of language might require as much control as would be required for control of a society anyways, without control of language. I think that Big Brother and the Party should achieve their ends through other, more convenient mechanisms... unless the control of language and the control of minds is an end in itself! I think it must be; otherwise the totalitarian regime in 1984, with as much control as it does have, might simply control a society with brute force and material oppression: slavery, restriction of resources, etcetera.

What end is there in controlling thought? Obviously, no physical oppression need occur, but stability in society seems like the one great goal inherent in control of mind. Is it possible that the Party and Big Brother actually care about their own people? That's the only reason to care about stability of society; not for the welfare or the stability of a regime, but for the welfare and stability of a populace. In that respect, the Party seems much better than any government which naturally serves its own ends.

What, however, is stability without freedom? Freedom of thought is, to me, the freedom of language and communication. So: is the freedom of thought and of communication worth preserving, in exchange for other, harsher methods of oppression? Censorship, when well applied, is simply brainwashing; an undetectable subtle influence that is not known. I, for one, would enjoy my new, stable, controlled reality. When you consider the alternative- physical, material force, brainwashing is just peachy. After all, ignorance is bliss.