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Anyways, random stuff time! :D
I do not know how to change my shown email adress. I do not like it. I have a new email that's gmail (rhyme?) and when I went to 'My Account' to change it, it said "No."
I will win next time. Seriously.
I looked at Yahoo today and saw this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20110218/od_yblog_upshot/kayakers-snap-photo-of-englands-version-of-the-loch-ness-monster
Somehow, all I can say is that I don't see Nessie as a giant catfish, or a gigantic monster mutant eel. I picture Nessie as this magnificent water creature that has a long neck and a something humped back, and looks absolutely gorgeous.
What looks below underwater/ the body & its limbs, I have no idea. I haven't figured that out yet. All I can say is that if Nessie is not 'real', then he/she/it has to be 'magical'.
Easy as that. Anything can be solved with magic. Well, except for zombies and coupons.
Here's a simpleton's view of the Italian Unification:
Italians grew fed up living under a foreign ruler (aka Austria). The nationalism has changed their ideas, and, as nationalist feelings are practically bursting out of their pores, they want INDEPENDENCE. All they need now is a leader to lead them the way to freedom.
Enter Camillo di Cavour*. He's the new prime minister, and a dead-cunning and ambitious one at that. He's trying to expand the kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia with all he can, and with diplomacy and alliances, he's set his eyes on north Italy.
Only one problem: Austria's in the way.
So when in Napoleon III of France agreed to help in 1858, Cavour, with his new friend, provoked the Austrians into war. Cavour, with his brand new shiny French-Sardinian army, won the battles twice. In the end, he succeeded in taking over the north, except for Venetia which is added later.
Then a challenger (not really) appears. His name is Giuseppe Garibaldi, and he and his
The years pass by, and pieces of Italy are falling into place. In 1866 Venetia became part of Italy, and finally the Papal States, with Rome, was added in 1870.
Simpleton Father: And so that's the story of how Rome became the capital of Italy. Did you like it?
Simpleton Father's Child: No. That was stupid.
*= Actually, his name isn't even Camillo di Cavour. It's something like Leonardo da Vinci and how 'da Vinci' is actually 'of Vinci' not 'da Vinci a lastname'. His real name is Camillo Benso, count of Cavour. My history book is lazy.
**= I'm not sure if 'Sicily' here means 'The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies' or the 'Sicily island' of Italy. Probably the first. Tried checking, but all say 'Sicily', so I don't really know what to say about this.
Note: the above interpretation is a simpleton's point of view. Dont' sue me for getting places wrong. I will try to keep things as accurate as possible. (but not right now)
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[EDIT] Okay, now that I look at it, that was quite stupid. The so-called simpleton's view seemes to be in fact VERY VERY different from the original story. Well, I did dramatise some bits, but....
I demand my history book #1 to be revised. I want my money back. Thank you to group discussions and history book #2.
So let's try this again:
The part where the Italians were fired up were right. Especially with Guiseppe Mazzini, who remined the Italians of their glorious past, i.e. the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. So the Italians demanded for independence, the want pouring out of their pores (figuratively). Except that, well, Austria was too strong for them. None of the revolts suceeded.
Camillo Benso, or 'Camillo di Cavour' as he's more commonly known, could see the Italians' want for independence, and could see their problem quite clearly. Sure, Italy had fiery words, noble thoughts, and brave patriots, but they also needed tough soldiers and strong allies to fight Austria. Though cunning, Cavour was also cautious and practical. He knew the nationalist groups (e.g. Mazzini's Young Italy - unrelated to Hetalia's Chibitalia) alone couldn't take the Austrian troops.
So instead, he worked to improve the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia's economy, so it could work to unification. With that done, he moved on to forming alliances. He signed a treaty with Napoleon III of France, ensuring that France would help drive Austria off Lombardy and Venetia if Austria threatened Sardinia.
So, with your nation's economy sound, and with a strong ally with you, what do you do? Prepare for war. In 1859, Austria was provoked into war against Sardinia, and France kept its word: French troops rushed into aid. The French-Sardinian army won victories.
Then a betrayal (?!) occurs! Alright, so 'betrayal' is a bit too strong. Anyways, Napoleon III went back on his word: he signed a truce with Austria, afraid of a unified Italy's power. The result: only Lombardy was returned to Sardinia, not Venetia. Hence why Venetia didn't become part of Italy until much later.
Cavour tried to persuade the king, Victor Emmanuel II, to continue the war until all of north Italy was freed, but it seemed as though the king was quite satisfied. He accepted the peace terms.
So for the moment there wouldn't be any more of regaining land from Austria. Until one special person in red appears, that is...
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