‘The development of nationalistic policies was primarily due to the ruling elite in Germany from 1789-1918’ Discuss (24 marks)

This question is asking whether or not the rise of nationalism in the law in Germany within this period was primarily due to the decisions of the combined monarchy and government, or due to a widespread growth amongst the German population. A sample paragraph against this argument could be as follows:
Whilst it may be true that the birth of German nationalism was amongst the educated upper class, primarily lawyers, philosophers and students, it is an inaccurate statement that this rang true of the entire period. From the mid 30’s onwards, groups such as the Turnverein, a gymnastics society that prided itself in national health and strength, grew in numbers. By the 1890’s, literature such as ‘Germany at war”, which suggested that the country should prepare itself from imminent invasion from ‘foreigners’, had become a household pamphlet and remained in mass circulation until the end of the 20th century. Furthermore, by the beginning of the 20th century, the German volunteer army had amassed over 500,000. Therefore, it is impossible to ignore the involvement of the German people in the creation of German nationalistic policy. As nationalist sentiment arose amongst the masses, Wilhelm and his government learned to not only accommodate but cater for and encourage it.