An 'Artisan Mittelstand' - How German artisans tried to preserve their identity by identifying with the Mittelstand

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The paper explores the significant role of German handicrafts and their institutional legacy in shaping the country's socio-economic landscape, particularly during the late nineteenth century. It examines how artisans contributed to Germany's rise as an economic power while simultaneously developing an anti-modern sentiment towards the capitalist industry and the working class. Focusing on the period from 1871 to 1897, it analyzes the artisans' evolving identity and their response to the emerging working class, culminating in their redefinition as the Mittelstand.