Final answer:
German artisans in 1848 were involved in the political efforts to unify Germany, participating in the revolutionary movements and the Frankfurt Assembly. Despite their efforts, these movements failed due to a lack of broad-based support and resistance by the old order. However, their political activism laid the groundwork for future workers' movements and social reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
The political activity of German artisans in 1848 was significantly influenced by the wave of liberal, socialist, and nationalist movements sweeping across Europe. In Germany, the accumulation of German nationalism reached a peak with the Frankfurt Assembly, where a national assembly gathered to draft a constitution aimed at unifying the German states. This attempt was marked by intense debates over economic and national policies, reflecting the divergent interests of various German political factions including liberals and socialists.
Artisans, among other revolutionaries, participated in these political upheavals. However, their efforts to form meaningful connections with the broader population beyond the intellectuals and city-dwellers were not very successful. As the German Confederation sought to transition into a unified state, the artisans were part of the broader coalition that initially challenged the old conservative order but ultimately faced the resistance of monarchs and militarists. The political momentum subsequently shifted towards unification under Prussian leadership, especially after the success of the Zollverein, despite the failure of the Frankfurt Assembly.
The failure of the 1848 revolutions nevertheless set the stage for later political activity and reform. The growing strength of the SPD, representing the workers' interests, and the increasing political engagement of the working class, exemplified by the use of printmaking to spread political messages, indicate that artisans and laborers continued to be a significant political force. Their political activities evolved from revolutionary participation to organized movements seeking legislative benefits and rights for workers.