how did the printing press shrink the intellectual gap between social classes?

[Spikes]

Before the printing press only the rich and priveledged could afford books and were educated to read. With the printing press, books became more affordable and widely available to the common man. This was also important because now ideas could be shared and spread more quickly (through flyers, newsletters). This gave the common man a political voice he didn't have before and equalized him with anyone (much like our social media, Twitter, Facebook, others). This actually helped to start the American Revolution because the people could protest in print to a wide audience.