Obstacles to german unification mass indifference

1. Obstacles to German unification Indifference o f the masses

2. 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. Obstacles to German unification

3. 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. Obstacles to German unification

4. 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. Obstacles to German unification

5. 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. Obstacles to German unification

6. 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. Obstacles to German unification

7. 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. Obstacles to German unification