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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.