Regno d'Italia
New Member
'Now that we have made Italy, we must make Italians.'
Posts: 8 
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Post by Regno d'Italia on Aug 17, 2015 13:21:11 GMT
Cavour had enjoyed a fantastic holiday in Sardinia. Fantastically numbing. There was just little to do, fresh sea air and impressive mountains aside, he spent almost every waking moment anticipating his return to Turin - to matters of government. As he arrived, his stalwart assistant presented his with the matters to address. The pile seemed endless, but Cavour was glad for the certain frenzy of office. Politics was chaos, and in chaos he thrived.
First on the agenda, a meeting with Foreign Secretary, Massimo D'Azeglio. A well respected man among government circles, and an able diplomat. The nature of the meeting was not mentioned, usually indicating an informal conversation, articulated musings alluding to the future of the State.
'Ah, Massimo.' Cavour announced as D'Azeglio entered the room. Always a sickly man, he propped up his jolly waltz with a stick, rushing to shake the hand of Cavour. It is odd, Cavour thought, how a personality can be so detached from the realities of their mortal coil. But even personalities can be deceiving, D'Azeglio's bodily infirmities and gregarious disposition helped, rather than hindered, his work as a diplomat and senior politician, hiding his formidable intelligence and skilled intuition.
'Cavour, pleasant as always.'
'What matters of State bring you here today?'
'It is not the State which concerns me, but the people.' D'Azeglio said as he took his seat opposite the Prime Minister. He knew, at the very least, the line would intrigue the jaded Cavour. 'We have united Italy, the process is not complete by far, and the toughest challenges facing the State are yet to come. However, the grandest endeavor is yet to begin, we are divided, linguistically, culturally and economically - now that we have made Italy, we must make Italians.'
'Hmm, and what makes us Italian? There is no uniform answer, everyone has a different opinion on what it is to be Italian.'
'And that has aided us thus far. However, people will soon demand answers, and the disunity that this will cause could fracture the Kingdom beyond repair. There are some subjects under which Italians, all Italians, can rally. We have our rich and diverse history, the legacy of the Roman empire, great feats of engineering, art, literature, and science, a cultural explosion unrivaled in our history since the days of the ancients. We centralise these sympathies to the state, encourage their percolation - if Italy can achieve so much divided, then united the possibilities are endless.'
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Regno d'Italia
New Member
'Now that we have made Italy, we must make Italians.'
Posts: 8
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Post by Regno d'Italia on Aug 22, 2015 10:54:50 GMT
Cavour greeted his new Minster for Industry and Development, Quintino Sella. They were in Cavour’s study, a magnificent room laced with red carpets and fabrics and bedizened with gold. Sella was a young but bright member of the King’s government. Having studied engineering in France, he had become fascinated by the progress that was being made elsewhere in Europe by virtue of industrialisation. The task at hand was a simple one, but one that had taken many months for Sella to complete. He had been asked to document Italy’s resources and goods worthy of note, and compile them into a report with advice on how to proceed. Cavour had asked for a brief introduction to the report, before it was read in the Senate.
After pleasantries had been accounted for, Quintino began. ‘Well, Prime Minister, I thought to begin the report with agriculture, which takes up most of our production and occupies two thirds of our overall workforce. In the North around the Po Valley, in the plains of Lombardy in particular, agriculture is booming. Modern methods are being utilised, it is well irrigated, and widespread networks of canals allow for rapid transport of produce for trade. Grapes, Olives, Wheat, Corn, Tomatoes and Apples all grow in abundance in these climates, as well as a thriving dairy sector, producing a variety of cheeses for both export and domestic consumption.’
‘I know plenty of the North, the South is what concerns me.’
‘Yes, Prime Minister. We have farms producing Oranges, Lemons, Grain, Olives. But most growers are small landholders, tenants working for a larger landlord. 75% of their money goes on food, the rest on clothes. Rent is generally taken as a tithe by the landlord, usually because it’s harder and less efficient to tax. There exists social problems in abundance which hinder development in the Mezzagiorno.’
‘There are ways to ease the burden, introduction of potatoes, targeted tax reductions…’ uttered Cavour.
‘Other than that, fishing is abundant, across Italy. It perhaps has not been developed properly in Sicily and Sardinia. That is something we will have to remedy if we are to embark upon the projects I suggest. With regards to mineral wealth, Sardinia is the richest of all regions of Italy. We have 59 mines there, mainly Iron, Lead, Copper and Silver, but also Gold and Goal. The potential for expansion of these mines looks positive, provided we find a suitable labour force. Sicily’s sulphur mines are also vital to the national interest, not only do we have a seemingly infinite resource from which to produce gunpowder, but we also have a virtual monopoly on the international market. Carrera marble in Tuscany, also provides us with a resource suitable for export. Particularly the pure white Statuario marble, perfect for grand works of architecture. It seems the quarries could continue to produce for many centuries.’
‘All positive. How about industrial production?’
‘Well, we have small-scale sulphur refineries in Sicily, but there is a huge scope for expansion. Particularly as the state will be in need of gunpowder to expand our defences. We can also flood the European market with high quality black gunpowder. We only have 500,000 cotton spindles nationally, less than 10% of that in France, and 2% of that in Britain. Pig Iron production is only at 30,000 tonnes, one-third of that produced in France. It is clear we do not compete in these areas, and produce is best retained for domestic consumption, or to fulfill state contracts with foreign governments. One other industry of international stature is silk. Italian silk currently dominates one-third the international market, and occupies two-thirds of our industrial workforce. It is, of course, a lot safer than working in mines, factories and quarries, which hardens its appeal to the populace, though expansion prospects are not as promising as in other areas. Though this could be rectified by improving conditions in industry, bringing people out of the share-cropping fields and into the factories.’
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Regno d'Italia
New Member
'Now that we have made Italy, we must make Italians.'
Posts: 8
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Post by Regno d'Italia on Aug 29, 2015 16:59:57 GMT
Cavour muttered something to himself wearily as he glanced through his drinks cabinet. He examined an attractive bottle of Piedmontese wine, before replacing it and reaching for a fine Scotch he had acquired during his formative years in Britain. As he returned to his desk, he finished his first serving just as quickly as it had taken him to pour it, before helping himself to another. The alcohol, he hoped, would help see him through his next appointment.
'Prime Minister, he's here.' Cavour's faithful assistant announced from behind the oaken doors.
'Fine, send him in.'
The man sported an impressive beard, dark and well-kept, it certainly put to shame Cavour's remarkably unfashionable facial motif. Dressed in a silken hat, complete with an eagle's feather and a blood red coat, he exuded charisma as he sat opposite the Prime Minister who could do nothing but despise him.
'Garibaldi.' Cavour uttered to recognise the man's presence, as he pretended to busy himself in his papers.
'Take your time.'
'Hmm... yes. Alright, I have spoken to the King, he wishes to honour you with a role in the new Italian government, as well as unveil a painting of the 'Handshake of Teano' at the Uffizi in Florence. Despite my sounds words of advice, I was unable to dissuade him.'
Garibaldi chuckled to himself. He knew the Prime Minister had no love for him, nor his politics, though he was gladdened by news the King had plans for him. Every day since he handed the Mezzogiorno to the Savoyards he wondered whether he could trust them to do right by the people. Perhaps now, he need not rely on trust alone, but instead he could change things from within government.
'So,' Cavour continued, undeterred by Garibaldi's apparent nonchalance. 'You are to be appointed Warden of the Mezzogiorno and Protector of Sicily, so that you may use your... 'talents'... to restore Law and Order. Now, I suggest you consider my advice, the South has been mismanaged by centuries of oppressive Bourbon rule, monarchs which, rather than pride themselves on a strong and powerful army, employed the use of brigandry to keep order. Brigandry, neither keeps order nor security, and it is those brigands who are causing problems in the main. The best solution is strong government and effective management, by which way we can restore stability.'
'You're wrong.'
'W-what?' Cavour spluttered in retort.
'Well, you are correct the Bourbons kept themselves safely locked away by a rampaging nobility, and used their subjects as an instrument by which to oppress their own. Though the real problem is not the brigands, but the nobles who continue to oppress their 'subjects,' keeping them poor, keeping them disenfranchised, just so they can save their own sorry hides.' Garibaldi paused, taking pleasure in the tangible rage exuding from Cavour's eyes, magnified by his eyeglasses. 'Besides this, one cannot by fair dealing, and without injury to others, satisfy the nobles, but you can satisfy the people, for their object is more righteous than that of the nobles, the latter wishing to oppress, while the former only desire not to be oppressed,' he quoted with a wry smile.
'You... you get out of here with your socialism. I will not have it! Not here!'
'Not socialism, common sense. I was quoting your beloved Machiavelli.'
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