The Black Death

1. The Black Death Socials 8 Chapter 5 Page 161

2. Questions we should consider: • How did it all start? • What is the plague • How long did it last? • What were the economic consequences? • How did people react? • What were the final results?

3. How did it all start? • In Europe by the 1300’s the population had was growing rapidly. • As the population increased, this created unsanitary living conditions in both urban and rural areas. • The plague began in Asia, and was carried to Europe on trade ships. • Black rats lived on these ships and carried fleas that were infected with the plague.

4. How did it all start? • The plague started in Europe in 1347 and in four years had spread across Europe • The plague moved from south to north along European trade routes.

5. How did it all Start? • The plague moved from south to north along European trade routes.

6. What is the Plague? • The plague is transferred from rats to flea to human. • It is a variety of the bubonic plague. • The diseased person quickly developed buboes (swollen lymph glands) and was covered with dark blotches on their skin • Then the person would get a high fever and vomit blood. Hallucinations were also common.

7. What is the Plague? • Both rich and poor people were affected. • Most victims died within one to three days of getting symptoms.

8. What is the Plague? • Rosy rashes and sneezing were other signs of the plague. • People believed that “posies”( oranges with cloves, peeled onions and pomanders would cure them) • Posies did not cure people, and millions of people fell down dead. • Does this remind you of a nursery rhyme you have heard before?

9. How long did it last? • The plague started in 1347 and lasted until 1350. • However, new outbreaks hit Europe in 1360 and 1374. • By the end of the 1300’s, 1/3 of the population had died. In some towns, 50% of the people died! • The results effected Europe economically for many years after.

10. How long did it last? • On page 163 in your text book, it shows how quickly the plague spread throughout Europe.

11. What were the economic consequences? • Because so many people died, Europe was under populated. • There were not enough people to produce food. • Peasants demanded higher wages and lower rents, and landlords resented the peasants. • The feudal system began to falter. (why) • Many social changes occurred.

12. How did the people react? • Boccaccio was a famous author who wrote about the plague. Primary Source: p. 164

13. How did the people react? • “Not only did citizens avoid each other, neglect their neighbors and seldom visit their relations, talking to them only from a safe distance: people were so terrified of the plague that brothers abandoned each other, uncles left nephews, wives even deserted their husbands. Worse still, and almost unheard of, parents refused to nurse and look after their own children, acting as though they were nothing to do with them.” • Boccoccio, 1348

14. How did the people react? • People did not know what caused the plague. Some believed that it was their sins that had caused it. • Others blamed Jews, peasants and prostitutes.

15. What were the final results? • The Black Death changed Europe forever. • Millions of people were killed. • The Black Death broke down the feudal system. Feudal estates, which relied on the cheap labor of serfs could no longer pay serfs such low wages because now workers were in high demand.

16. What were the final results? • The rise in status of serfs caused problems between landlords and peasants that would later lead to peasant revolts. • There were high death rates among priests as they were often asked to visit the sick people. This led to a decrease in church services. • Some towns and villages were completely wiped out.