The Black Plague originated in Asia in the 1330s and killed between 40 to 60 million people in China. It spread to Europe in the late 1340s via fleas living on rats that were carried on trade routes. Between 1347 and 1351, the plague killed an estimated 19 to 38 million people in Europe, nearly half the total population. The plague had widespread effects, including people blaming others like Jews for causing it, a rise in workers' rights due to high demand after so much death, and the weakening of the feudal system.

1. THE BLACK
PLAGUE

2. Bellringer
Write a 25 word summary
of how Confucianism
influences Chinese culture.

3. What is a Plague?
 A plague is a disease that spreads quickly
and kills a large number of people.
 The Black Plague, as the disease was known,
was probably Bubonic Plague.
 The illness is caused by a bacteria spread by
fleas.

4. Where did it come from?
 The disease was spread by fleas.
 The fleas were carried by rats.
 The disease originated in Asia.
 In the 1330’s nearly half of China’s population
was killed by the Plague (between 40 to 60
MILLION people)
 As trade increased, the rats moved from
China all the way to Europe. And with the
rats, so went the Plague.

5. The Plague in Europe
 By 1346 the Plague had reached Europe.
 By the end of the 1340’s the plague was in
France, Germany and England, and
throughout most of Europe by 1351.
 Between 1347 and 1351, 19 to 38 million
Europeans died: nearly half the population.

6. Effects of the Plague
 People did not understand illness.
 Some felt they were being punished by God.
 Germany expelled Jews from many cities,
blaming them for the plague.
 With all the death, there was a rise in demand
for workers, so workers gained more rights.
 It weakened Feudalism.