Question

What obstacle or obstacles made it difficult for those at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder to actively participate in the print culture of the Enlightenment?

a) Lack of literacy and access to education
b) Government censorship
c) Technological barriers
d) Religious opposition

Answer 1

The primary obstacles that hindered the participation of lower socioeconomic classes in the print culture of the Enlightenment were lack of literacy and access to education, government censorship, and technological barriers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary obstacles that made it difficult for those at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder to actively participate in the print culture of the Enlightenment were:

1. Lack of literacy and access to education: Literacy rates were relatively low among the lower socioeconomic classes, especially in rural areas. This limited their ability to read and engage with Enlightenment texts.
2. Government censorship: Royal edicts restricted the practice of reading to a small aristocratic elite, preventing lower socioeconomic classes from accessing and sharing Enlightenment ideas.
3. Technological barriers: There was a widespread shortage of books and other printed materials, making them prohibitively expensive for those at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder.