CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · History: Print Culture and the Modern WorldWhy did some people fear the impact of printed books in Europe?

Many religious authorities, monarchs, and conservative elites feared printed books because they believed that unchecked circulation of ideas could lead to widespread rebellion, spread of heresy, and moral degradation. They worried that if ordinary people began reading and interpreting religious or political texts independently, it would undermine traditional hierarchies, challenge the absolute authority of the church and state, and disrupt established social order across European societies.