obstacles to german unification mass indifference

Peasant majority

Peasants made up the largest group of people in

all the German states.

They were divided across rural areas, and also

urban areas which had seen huge population

increases.

Peasant divide

The urban/rural divide had an impact on peasant attitudes.

Urban peasants – affected by

industrialisation – were more likely to take

part in protests.

Social change

Many peasants (urban and rural) lived extremely

poor lives.

Although many became involved in protests they were more interested in

social change than political reform.

Main obstacle? Yes

As the peasants were in the majority, their support

was essential to force state leaders to listen; indifference hurt this.

Peasants were also divided from the middle classes who were often

their employers.

Main obstacle? Yes

Most peasants also had a limited education.

As such this made it harder for them to be

aware of and engage in political discussions of the

time.

Main obstacle? No

German peasants did not actively oppose

nationalism, they simply saw social change as more

important.

Also many peasants were also nationalists and

supported German unity.