Final answer:
The 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 low levels of literacy and a lack of leisure time, a widespread shortage of books and other printed materials, and royal edicts restricting the practice of reading to all but a small aristocratic elite.
Step-by-step explanation:
The obstacle or 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:
- Low levels of literacy and a lack of leisure time: Many people at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder did not have access to education and were unable to read or write. Additionally, they often had to work long hours to survive, leaving them with little free time to engage in activities such as reading.
- A widespread shortage of books and other printed materials: Books and other printed materials were expensive and not easily accessible to those who couldn't afford them. This limited their ability to participate in the print culture of the Enlightenment.
- Royal edicts restricting the practice of reading to all but a small aristocratic elite: In some cases, governments implemented restrictions on who could read and access printed materials, reserving this privilege for a small aristocratic elite. This further limited the participation of those at the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder.