Japan had the worlds strongest army and navy and defeated all attempts at foreign invasion
It was Giuseppe Garibaldi, who unified Italy in 1871.
I believe she tells them to cover their ears with wax. The Sirens were known to enhcant sailors with their music and songs and lure them to their deaths. To prevent that Circe had them plug their ears so they wouldn't be enchanted, and go to their death.
I'm pretty sure the answer you are looking for is A) Conservatives blasted government corruption, such as payoffs
The civil rights movement inspired other movements because of the great amount of success.