The Black Death

The Black Death
The Effect of the Black Death on Society and Literature The Black Death was a gruesome plague that took over Europe killing over 20 million
people. To this day scientist still do not know a cure or what exactly this disease was. It is understood that it was from fleas that were on dying rats that
caused the plague. The Black Death did not only kill millions of people, it also killed the way that society functioned. It decreased the supply and
increased the demand for workers (The Black Death). Thus, causing the middle class to form and progress into what we know in the present day. It
also gave the people a chance to persecute and massacre the Jewish communities by accusing them of deliberately poisoning wells and causing the
outbreak of the Black Death (Bee). The influence that the plague had on the works of authors such as, Chaucer, changed not only society but how they
thought and wrote. Before the Black Death in the mid 1300's, England was overpopulated. The population grew more rapidly than the agricultural
production, causing famine (Sommerville). This was excellent for the upper class considering the labor costs, however, this was not so great for the
lower classes. With the supply of workers being high and the demand being low it caused cheap labor. Which then led to a very high unemployment
rate and an increase in famine among the lower classes. However, when the Black Death occurred, the supply of workers decreased significantly and
the demand increased, causing
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The Plague
The Black Death
"The Black Death" is known as the worst natural disaster in European history. The plague spread throughout Europe from 1346–1352. Those who
survived lived in constant fear of the plague's return and it did not disappear until the 1600s. Not only were the effects devastating at the time of
infection, but during the aftermath as well. "The Black Death" of the fourteenth century dramatically altered Europe's social and economic structure.
The plague was spread by fleas, which were not effected by the disease. Fleas first infected the rats, which lived off garbage and sewage. The rats then
spread the infection to the humans. Rats were a common sight in the cities, due to the poor sanitary conditions, so no one...show more content...
"The Black Death" alone was not the only factor that was responsible for the social and economic change although it was the most important (Ziegler
234). Even without "The Black Death" continued deterioration in Europe would have been likely. The social and economic change had already set in
well before 1346. For at least twenty–five years before "The Black Death," exports, agricultural production, and the area of cultivated land had all been
shrinking. "The Black Death" contributed a large part to all of this destruction and led to important changes in the social and economic structure of the
country (Ziegler 234–235). The plague touched every aspect of social life (Herlihy 19). There was hardly a generation that was not affected by the
plague (www.jefferson.village.virginia.edu). Families were set against each other– the well rejecting the sick (www.byu.edu). Families left each other
in fear. Many people died without anyone looking after them. When the plague appeared in a house, frightened people abandoned the house and fled to
another (www.jefferson.village.virginia.edu). Due to this, the plague spread more rapidly because people were not aware that being in the same house
with the infected person had already exposed them to it. Physicians could not be found because they had also died. Physicians who could be found
wanted large sums of money before they entered the house (www.jefferson.village.virginia.edu). When the

The Black Death Essay
In the middle of the fourteenth century, disaster struck Europe. A ravaging pestilence spread at an alarming rate through city and countryside alike.
Beginning as a tiny spark in Genoa, the wildfire that was the Black Death enveloped nearly all of Europe, from Italy to Britain, in a span of about
three years (C. Kohn, 25). Up to 38 million lives were claimed in less than a decade, distinguishing the Black Death one of the worst pandemics in
human history (C. Kohn, 25). The disease behind this catastrophe has seldom been rivaled by another. But what was this disease? Many scientists and
historical scholars believe this disaster to be the work of the bubonic plague, a deadly infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis or Y.
...show more content...
Records of the plague during this time period often recount tales of men falling ill and dying within a three or four day period (F. Cantor, 13). This
short, rapid progression of the disease does not lend itself to the multiphasic course of the bubonic plague. Though these accounts are rivaled by tales
describing a disease decently matching the bubonic plague, there are enough of these countering records to question the true identity of the Black Death.
Symptoms were inconsistent from case to case. Some died of internal bleeding and without respiratory infection (Cross Giblin, 12), some without fever,
and others without welts or buboes (F. Cantor, 14). Though some historians dismiss these statistics, blaming the inaccuracy and ineptitude of medieval
doctors during this period, others are skeptical. Wild theories began to surface, some more credible than others. Bacillus anthracis, or anthrax, is
featured in one of the more widely accepted theories.
The likelihood of anthrax is bolstered by the circumstances of this time period. In the years preceding the plague, deforestation was peaking in Europe.
Farmers cleared acres upon acres of land to expand their cattle ranches (F. Cantor, 14). Though this deforestation diminished the game bird population
greatly, the Europeans' passion for red meat did not dwindle. Sheep and cattle consumption was culminating at this point (F. Cantor, 14). Edward I.
Thompson, a professor at the University of Toronto, found that meat from

Essay On The Black Death
What impact did the 'Black Death' plagues that began in Europe in the fourteenth century have on societies there?
The Black Death was a disastrous illness that spread quickly through 14th century Europe, leaving many bodies in its wake and soon dominated
European societies. Not only did the Black Death ravish the population, but the plague also caused long term societal, economic and political changes.
Children were particularly susceptible to the Black Death, while tragic this had far reaching economic consequences as this lost generation decreased
the able labour population. In turn, survivors could demand an increased wage for their services as the work force had been decimated. This resulted
in class tensions between workers and employers. Minority communities which had been tolerated in Europe now found themselves being made
scapegoats for a deadly illness. This was particularly true for Jewish communities but some women found themselves targeted also. The clergy were at
higher risk of succumbing to the Black Death this caused many to question their belief in the Catholic Church. There is no doubt that these factors
change European society in extensive ways which will be examined in this essay.
The Black Death in Europe was a form of the plague which caused painful sores, ulcers and spread quickly through populations. Certain groups were
slightly more vulnerable, however, the Black Death killed quickly and mercilessly. Medicine in the 14th century was at a

Summary: The Black Death
Medieval Times=
News 1–The Black Death's Wrath––––– Once you find out that you have the plague, it's probably too late. You start seeing swollen lymph nodes on
your armpit or on your neck. You also get a fever, headache, and fatigue. Some people experience diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Many cough up
blood as well. You feel extreme pain in the abdomen region. It takes about three days until you die. There are some ways that you can avoid this.
Many say it's contagious and you have to stay away from the infected people. Some people even locked themselves into their own homes.
People are being quarantined so the plague doesn't spread
News 2– Destroyed Civilization––The Black Death has currently killed over millions of people in Europe. Even...show more content...
Her husband had died from the plague on Friday, 13 April 1348.
Ron– "So do you know anybody that had or has the plague and how did you find out that they had it?"
Liza– "My husband had died a couple of weeks ago. He was fine, but then he just fell down and started vomiting everywhere. I took him to a doctor
and the doctor told me that he had the Black Death."
Ron– "How did he get the Black Death?"
Liza– "We aren't really sure how he got it. He wasn't around anyone that day, so we think it happened yesterday. He went to the market that day and
came back with a slight headache.
Ron– "What were some symptoms that he faced?"
Liza– "He got a fever and he was coughing up blood. He felt pain in chest really badly. He was vomiting and he got dark bumps on his neck."

Ron– "How did this change you life?"
Liza– "I now have to feed my family by myself. We both worked hard and ended up with just enough for our family. Now I have work double time, so
my poor baby would get fed. What worries me the most is that if I get the plague, who would take care of my him? He's only six!"
Ron– "Are you taking any precautions about

Brief Summary: The Black Death
The Black Death Nearly 650 years ago, in the beginning days of its time, Europe unfortunately was not the most thriving continent. Although it did have
an abundance of food availability, this sent cities populations such as Florence, London, and Rome to grow by the dozens and brought much instability
to food costs causing poverty and starvation to its inhabitants. Its level of agricultural production fluctuated while strain was put on the rest of the
economy. Such calamity was still not the highest of worries Europe was to encounter and in the year 1348 an unfamiliar disaster struck the city of
Genoa spreading throughout and would not cease for another two years. In 1347, near the end of the year, trade ships returned to Genoa carrying
occupants...show more content...
("Fleas") The chief of flea–born disease activity at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ken Cage, explains its process; once a flea
feeds off a rat, the Y.pestis grows in its gut. The bacteria soon blocks the valve that opens into the flea's stomach and in an attempt to feed, they bite a
host while also clearing out the bacterial obstruction. The flea regurgitates the Y. pestis onto the bites, therefore a flea could feed on as many rats as it
can carry and once a flea comes in contact with a human and just as well bites them, the human is infected. Bubonic plague infects a humans immune
system by causing inflammation. If a victim goes untreated the disease can infect the blood as well as the lungs creating both septicemic and pneumonic
plague. Scientists debate over whether the disease was driven by fleas or spread pneumonically. Most understand the only way for it to have been
able to engulf pneumonically, it needed a main source. Y. pestis bacteria spread most commonly through its particles in the air, but some not so
common ways it also spread was through open cuts or open areas on the skin and body. An infected person would have a fever rising to detrimental
heights, they would experience muscle pain, and overall weakness would

Significance Of The Black Death
Significance of the Black Death
In the wake of the fourteenth century, Europe and the world experienced one of its biggest pandemics. Over the preceding centuries, Europe had
undergone significant agricultural, economic and religious developments. However, the 400 years between 1000 and 1400 saw a rapid increment in
population and the onset of war as people scrambled for scarce resources from 75 to close to 210 million. Also, it was accompanied by religious
scandals. It led to widespread unsustainability, causing pollution, plague–like diseases and turmoil in the affected regions. The image below shows the
areas that were affected. However, the demise of approximately 76 million people from 1346 to 1353 culminated in the most severe disaster to ever hit
Europe. It was referred to as the Black Death. This essay critically analyses the significance of the Black Death pandemic.
Before the disaster, Europe was developing fast agriculturally due to the various innovations in farming equipment in Britain. The inventions made in
the thirteenth century in the United Kingdom formed the basis for the Agrarian Revolution of the Eighteenth century (Campbell 23). However, the
Black Death slowed down the process as many workers died. Therefore, it meant that agricultural growth would not be pursued at the same rate. Also,
the economy of Europe was significantly affected by the Black Death pandemic. It occurred at a time when trade between China, Italy,

The black death Essay
What was the Black Death, and what was its impact on European society?
The Black Death was a bacterium which was carried by flea infested rats. This disaster spread across Europe quite rapidly.
Much accusation for the cause of the plague was pressed onto the Jewish community.
The most common plague was the bubonic plague, although the pneumatic plague also existed.
This disaster caused economic, social, political and cultural havoc.
Approximately 50% of the infested population died, which, was estimated between 19 to 38 million.
During this occurrence 25 to 50 percent of the population throughout Europe decreased.
The plague began around 1347 and did not end until around 1369.
What major problems did European states face in the...show more content...
Soon after a third Pope joined the crowd in an effort to resolve the problem of the two first Popes, although this only caused more chaos.
What were the major developments in art and literature in the fourteenth century?
The most prominent development in the fourteenth century was creation of vernacular literature. Vernacular languages shortly became as used as
much, if not more, than Latin.
The fourteenth century was also a great era for European writers such as Dante Alighieri, Geoffrey Chaucer and Christine de Pizan who wrote The
Book of the city of Ladies, which was criticized by many male writers.

Giotto "a forerunner of Italian Renaissance painting" also made his presence in this century. The most famous works of Giotto were completed
in Padua and Florence.
The high renaissance was part of the final section of the renaissance art. The three artist that dominated this type of art were Leonardo da Vinci,
Raphael and Michelangelo.
The artwork after the plague was considered to be more dark and sorrowful.
How did the adversities of the fourteenth century affect urban life?
Authorities tried to keep the cities cleaner by closing such things as bathhouses in order to create cleaner distracts. Although in this attempt it lead to a
decline in cleanliness
The general theme for families in the late medieval urban era was the nuclear family.

The Black Death And Its Effects On Society
The most devastating and tragic mortal disease, the Black Death, spread across Europe in the years of 1346–53. The Black Death became one of the
deadliest infectious diseases in history. This fatal and rapidly spreading disease horrified people of its time. The disastrous natural catastrophe was only
compounded with other setbacks in fourteenth century Europe. Those set backs include, warfare, religious turmoil and peasant unrest. Also known as the
bubonic plague, it struck Europe in 1347 and killed close to 50 million people. This constituted as half of their population, killing entire families and
destroying tribes and villages in less than a mere century. To this day there are numerous theories of its origin, symptoms, its quick spreading, artistry
and other documents that all reflect on the impact this plague had on society. The terror of the Black Death affected various aspects of European
culture, particularly art. At a time of great suffering where traditional forms of grieving associated with death and burial were abandoned, artistry
stands alone as being one of the most dominate ways people expressed their fears, sadness and pain. In this essay I will recognize three examples of
works of art that reveal the prominent mood of this period of time. I will also discuss the Black Death in detail and the impact it had on the art market
as well as the lives of artists and patrons. Chronicles and letters written illustrate the torment brought by this illness. In

The Black Death Black Death, epidemic of plague which ravaged Europe in the mid–14th century. Various forms of plague were known in the civilized
world since ancient times. Greek and Roman historians described outbreaks of an epidemic disease which were sudden and deadly: at Constantinople
in the 6th century AD, for example, as much as half the population may have been killed. The outbreak which reached Europe from China in 1347, and
spread rapidly and with disastrous results to most countries, has been given the name the Black Death, though contemporaries did not use this term.
Epidemiology of the Black...show more content...
More deadly still was pneumonic plague, one of the most infectious and fatal diseases known to man. It was commonest in the cold winter months,
affected the lungs and was easily transmitted, for it could be spread by coughs and sneezes. It was 95 per cent fatal, victims normally dying within
three days of the onset.
Spread of the Black Death
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE]
[IMAGE][IMAGE][IMAGE]The Black Death of the mid–14th century probably began in the steppes of Central Asia and spread to China and India.
Contemporary chroniclers thought that a series of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, had upset the ecological balance there. Merchants travelling
from the affected regions may have carried the disease along the usual trade routes to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It reached
Constantinople in 1347, Messina in Sicily (its first European appearance) in October 1347, and Paris and the south coast of England in the summer of
1348. It then spread rapidly to the rest of Europe. That it continued in the winter months as well as the summer suggests that the pneumonic form was
also present with bubonic plague, for the former flourishes in cramped living conditions where people huddle together for warmth. The speed with
which the disease was spread in a largely rural and, by modern standards, not densely populated, society; the short interval between infection and death;

Narrative Essay On The Black Death
The sun warms my back as I skip alongside my younger sister through the brightly colored garden. A bird calls just above my head, and a sugary
white rabbit hops across the road. I hear my mother sweetly calling my name for lunch, "Alice", then again, "Alice", then more forcefully, "Alice!" I
hear a rustling from behind, as something simultaneously shakes my shoulders. The warmth from holding my sister's hand disappears, the world goes
black, and my eyes close almost as quickly as they flutter back open. I see my mother standing above my bed, waiting expectantly – it was only just a
dream.
After slipping on my tunic and pulling my hair back, I wake up Matilda, my five–year–old sister. I then head over to my parents for a breakfast of
bread and vegetables. With the sun barely rising over the horizon I began a long day of work, which was required by the noble who own the land.
While mindlessly feeding the pigs and sheep and planting seeds and weeding the fields, all I can really pay attention to is the whisperings of a deadly
illness sweeping across nearby villages. My heart races as hushed voices discuss this "Black Death".
"I heard people with the Black Death are covered in red and black boils," a female exclaimed.
"Yes! And fever and muscle pains too," another described.
"My friend two towns over died three days after showing symptoms. We best avoid mice and fleas," a man grimly said. Terrified of these
conversations, I prayed for the day to end quickly so that

Positive And Negative Effects Of Black Death
Describe both the positive and negative effects the Black Death and the breakup of the Mongol empire had during the Renaissance.
These two events not only left Europe with no way out for a long time, but they also intervened with the most important factor during this years.
Trading. The positive effect it had was the growth of Europe's population which encouraged trading to keep on growing as well. Europe was now
trading with Asia, which made it a lot easier, because of the fact that they could move their merchandise through Asia and get it to Europe.
Why do you think prince Henry decided to ally with Portugal an North Africa instead of conquering both? Did he had a special purpose with these? If
so plain what it was.
First of all I think he did not have enough people to do it, and second, conquering was not his goal. His goal was getting to discover new parts of the
world, which is why his Portuguese men...show more content...
He spent several months investigating the islands of the Caribbean and assumed this was India, which is why he called the people Indians. People now
recognized him as a hero, not only because of the new people, but because he had discovered a route to unknown continents.
What took Portugal and Spain to create their own empire.
After the lands were discovered by Christopher, the king and queen of Spain both requested help from pope Alexander VI to claim the land theirs.
They got to an agreement, where the land would be divided in two zones; the west be belonging to Spain, and the east belonging to Portugal. Since in
those times, geography could not be technologically proven, the treaty made,was like a push for these two nations, and the other resting ones, to start
claiming their lands and building their empires as fast as possible.
Do you think balboa's discovery was important for the events that happened later on? Why or why

Research on The Black Death Essay
Imagine the world as it is. There are many people living on the planet at a given time. Now imagine that out of the estimated 7 billion people on
earth, about 4,200,000,000 people were suddenly eradicated because of a disease infesting just a part of the world. No, it isnt a scene or plot from a
horror movie, this horrible reality is actually fact and has already happened in the distant past. I am talking, of course, of the Black Death of Europe. The
Black Death or as its also known as "Bubonic Plague", was a serious pandemic that infected Europe and nearly wiped out 60% of its population
during its 2 year spread all across Europe. A rough estimate of about 60–200 million people were claimed as victims of The Black Death. At the time,
...show more content...
Sometimes, like most explanations back then, it was the work of God and punishment afflicted upon Europe for whatever reasons of the time. For
these people, the only cure was to be somehow forgiven by God. This was usually done by people carving or painting the symbol of the cross on
the front doors of their house with the words "Lord have mercy on us" either near it or on it. Another great contributor to the destruction of the Black
Death was the Great Fire of London which helped eradicate most of the rats that carried the disease and wiping out most of the people with the
disease. The plague actually repeatedly continued to remain in Europe and the Mediterranean throughout the centuries. The major occurences of the
plague happened around the year 1346 and 1671. The Second Pandemic Black Death was pretty active in the years 1360 and 1667. All of Europe was
ravaged and it impacted Europe so devastatingly that it took 150 years for the population of Europe to be fully recovered. Quarantining people was
another way of combating the plague in ancient times. Taking anti–bio tics was advised was advised in case you came into contact with a victim of the
disease. In early 2011 it was discovered that the bacteria Yersinia Pestis was actually the culprit for one of the most devastating pandemics ever to
surface in the world. While

Middle Ages' Most Notorious Killer:
The Black Death
This paper analyzes the documentary film "Secrets of the dead–Mystery of the Black Death". This film discusses about the Black Death, a disease
resulting from a combination of bubonic and pneumonic plague, which killed millions of Europeans during the Middle Ages. Researchers in this video
clarify the origins of this pandemic/how it spread, the damage it caused on the whole European continent, the theory explaining how some people
managed to escape the Black Death and the relationship between the disease and today's most dangerous virus: the HIV. The team of experts in this
film is composed of historians, geneticists, a microbiologist, a virologist and even a...show more content...
Different interpretations of the past This documentary clarified two aspects concerning the Black Death: the origins/spread of the plague, and what
made it possible to survive the illness. First, one has to understand the Black Death started in the Middle Ages and it spread throughout the European
continent. Around 1347, thirteen Genoese galleys entered the harbor of Messina, Sicily carrying the disease. Actually, the ships contained rats infected
by flea that transmitted the tiny bubonic bacterium to the people on land. When the ships arrived at the harbor, it took only twelve months for the
pandemic to kill a third of the population. Eventually, by January sixty percent of population in Marseilles die, and during spring seventy–five percent
of people in Florence died. Around 1348, the plague approaches the shore of England, but was already installed in England before reaching the shore.
People at that period lacked medical knowledge about these kinds of plagues, therefore when it first hit the Europe, they couldn't react on time to
prevent it from damaging the population further. Some people did not even know that the Black Death exists, such as the tailor of Eyam, George
Viccars, who received a bundle of cloth infected by fleas carrying the disease; consequently he could not prevent it from spreading. Another reason was
because of the tiny bubonic bacterium that penetrated into infected people's

Review of The Black Death Essay
Review of The Black Death The Black Death discusses the causes and results of the plague that devastated medieval Europe. It focuses on the many
effects it had on the culture of medieval Europe and the possibility that it expedited cultural change. I found that Robert S. Gottfried had two main
theses in the book. He argued that rodent and insect life cycles, as well as the changing of weather systems affect plague. He claimed that the
devastation plague causes is partly due to its perpetual recurrences. Plague ravaged Europe in cycles, devastated the people when they were
recuperating. As can be later discovered in the book, the cycles of plague consumed the European population. A second thesis, which he described in
greater detail,...show more content...
Doctors responded with a series of changes are to thank for the development of modern science. Gottfried succeeded in convincing me that his thesis
was truth. The opening chapters gave me a solid background of plague, explaining why he believes it had such an impact on medieval population and
culture. Next, it delves into the affect that changing weather had on the plagues, explaining the European environment during 1050–1347; the time of
plagues greatest destruction. That complete, Gottfried describes the consequences immediately following the plague. It is said that the disease
killed 25% to 40% of Eurasia and part of Africa. By this point, it is more than obvious that plague had a tragic affect on Medieval Europe, but it is
unclear as to the causes, and the effect plague had on society, which seemed to be his theses in the opening chapters. But he does not ignore these
topics. After giving a full background on plague and European culture and environment, Gottfried gives solid details to support his theses. According
to Gottfried, the Medical structure of Medieval Europe, adopted from that of the Romans, was nearly eliminated in the search for ways to cure
plague. The spread of plague, successfully stated by Gottfried, directly depends on climate. Plague can only spread under certain climate conditions. In
order for Y. Pestis, a series of complex bacterial strains, to survive, it mustn't be too hot nor too cold.

Black Death Essays
The Black Death, also known as the Black Plague, or the Bubonic Plague killed one third of the population of Europe during its reign in the 13th
and 14th centuries. The arrival of this plague set the scene for years of strife and heroism. Leaving the social and Economic aspect in a standstill. The
phantom of death became a subject of art, music and folklore and it influenced the consciousness of the people. The impact of this mass killer caused
enormous chaos and havoc to the medieval society because of its unknown origin, the unknown causes and preventions, its deathly symptoms and its
breakdown of orderly life, therefore religion was greatly affected and changed. In 1347, a Tartar army under Kipchak khan Janibeg had been besieging
the...show more content...
Father abandoned child, wife husband, one brother another; for this illness seemed to strike through breath and sight. An so they died. None
could be found to bury the dead for money or friendship. Members of a household brought their dead to a ditch as best they could, without priest,
without divine offices. In many places in Siena great pits were dug and piled deep with the multitude of dead. And they died by the hundreds, both
day and night, and all were thrown in those ditches and covered with earth. And as soon as those ditches were filled, more were dug. I, Agnolo di
Tura . . . buried my five children with my own hands. . . . And so many died that all believed it was the end of the world." (another
description) Fathers abandoned their sick sons. Lawyers refused to come and make out wills for the dying. Friars and nuns were left to care for the
sick, and monasteries and convents were soon deserted, as they were stricken, too. Bodies were left in empty houses, and there was no one to give
them a Christian burial. The terror of this seemingly unstoppable march of death was the unknown nature of its origin. The absence of an identifiable
earthly cause gave the plague supernatural and sinister quality. (The Black Death: Bubonic Plague) The plague had stunned Europe and everywhere
people were desperate for explanations and answers to their many questions. Most explanations were based on

The Black Death resulted in the death of over 25 million people and one third of Europe's people from 1347 to 1352. This disease originated in
China in the early 1330's and started to spread to Western Asia and Europe through trade. The bubonic plague, aka Black Death, affects rodents mostly
but fleas can transmit disease to people. Once a one person is infected, it was easily transmitted. The plague caused fever and swelling of the lymph
glands. It also caused red spots on the skin, but then turned into black spots. During the winter the plague seemed to vanish, but came back and
happened in waves. The aftermath of the Black Death had a major impact on, literature, religion, and the economy. The most blatant cultural influence
was on literature. During this time the literary expressions took on dark humor and tone to cope with the tragedy caused from the Black Death. The
use of the vernacular became popular in literature and art. One of the popular pieces of literature...show more content...
The church could not save people from this disease, so it led to many people questioning and giving up on their religion. Doctors did not understand
the origin of the disease, so most civilians believed the cause of the Black Death was from supernatural powers. They saw the disease as divine
punishment, which is god punishing them. Many people thought they could beat themselves to atone for their supposed sins. The church lost power
and influence in society because they failed to protect the civilians and the clergy from the horrid diseases. Many civilians lost faith and found a
scapegoat to blame for the cause of the plague. The most popular scapegoat in the 14th century plague was the Jews. This religious group was accused
of creating and spreading the plague because most Jews were merchants and the diseased rats were carried by the merchants. Persecution of the Jews
continued out through the late Middle

The Black Death
The Black Death, the most severe epidemic in human history, ravaged Europe from 1347–1351. This plague killed entire families at a time and
destroyed at least 1,000 villages. Greatly contributing to the Crisis of the Fourteenth Century, the Black Death had many effects beyond its immediate
symptoms. Not only did the Black Death take a devastating toll on human life, but it also played a major role in shaping European life in the years
following.
The Black Death consisted mainly of Bubonic plague, but pneumonic plague was also present in the epidemic. Symptoms of the Bubonic plague
included high fever, aching limbs, and blood vomiting. Most characteristic of the disease were swollen lymph nodes, which grew until they...show more
content...
European economy and society changed drastically following the Black Death. Because so many people had died, there was a huge labor shortage.
This contributed to the end of the feudal system, since serfs could often leave their manors and make a better living in cities. In addition to better work
opportunities, survivors of the plague had a surplus of material goods. Many of the dead had left behind entire estates and other belongings. These
goods were available through inheritance and looting. At this time, the pawnshop business, made famous by the Medici family, became extremely
successful. Through these factors, Europe experienced an overall rise in its standard of living.
The plague also affected religion and art, which became very dark and preoccupied with death. Many people believed that the Black Death came from
God's extreme anger at the world. A group of fanatics, called Flagellants, inflicted various punishments on themselves in an attempt to atone for the
world's sins––and end the disease. An artistic style known as the danse macabre depicted skeletons and corpses mingling with the living during happy
occasions. These actions reminded the people of the overriding sense of doom that shadowed their lives because of the Black Death.
The Black Death changed European history in many significant ways. Its fatal symptoms took many human lives, and its influence carried over into
many areas of society. Economically, Europe flourished because

Spread Of The Black Death Essay
During the period of 1348 to 1350 an epidemic disease by the name of the Black Death spread, killing more than half the population in Europe. The
Black Death brought the medieval men and women to an apocalypse. People living in this time expected only death. Every graveyard was filled
with the corpse of these victims. People believed the last judgment had come to the world and there was no hope of escaping it. People believed
they were abandoned by God, and God was punishing them for their sins. From Italy to Ireland, Europe population decreased with the deaths of
20,000,000 people . Medicine or remedies could not aid the sick leaving them with hopelessness . Men started turning on each other forgetting about
their morals, it was a breaking point of society. But even though some people did not survive , writers, doctors, priest left a unique description of that
time. Their work left us a window to witness the death at that time. Despite of the catastrophe that was happening the continent did not go into a dark
age after words. Their upcoming uprising was due to this horrific time of the Black Death.
In the Italy autumn of 1347, Europe was sophisticated , well populated, mobile and diverse with people of...show more content...
They would whip themselves until they bled. They believed it was the only way escaping the horrific death but they failed, they only were able to
spread the disease faster. Over all the Black Death almost wiped half of Europe's population, that even though brought horrible things, some people
believe it did some good, ironic right ? Well the Black Death gave the chance of poor people to rise in society. Since their family members died they
were able to keep their land and expand their wealth. Some of the remaining rich people did not like it but could not do nothing about

The Black Death

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The Black Death