Violence
Once again, India's Kashmir region is experiencing violent conflict fuelled by aspirations of independence. I shook my head, thinking it such a shame that such a marvelously beautiful place is weighted with such troubles. I also found myself wondering if any of the world's countries attained independence without violent conflict. Yes, I know about Canada.
While I didn't follow through on my search enough to actually answer my question, wiki.answers.com provided me with this hilarious anecdote:
"Paraguay gained independence from Spain in May 1811, without a shot being fired. The Paraguayan conspirators surrounded the governor's palace with cannons, then knocked on the door and demanded independence. The governor granted their request without argument."
Some photos from my time in Kashmir.
