1. Manual labor, poverty/subsistence, safety and public health, and economic systems are prime factors that have affected entrepreneurship throughout history. How well a startup business thrives is impacted by how well the economy is doing. Government policies will also influence entrepreneurship because there are rules businesses must abide by.
2. Individually I think I would struggle with being able to put everything on the line in hopes of coming out successful. Not being able to take risks would be something that would definitely hold me back. Finding the funds to employ people and buy the materials needed would come to be a challenge, especially if I am young with little experience.