The document summarizes some of the key social and economic changes that occurred in medieval Europe following the Black Death pandemic in the 14th century: 1) The Black Death pandemic devastated European populations, reducing numbers by 20-25% in western Europe and 25 million in China. 2) In the aftermath, abandoned farmland led serfs to seek higher wages as the manor system declined. Guilds formed to provide economic support for workers. 3) Increased trade brought more money into circulation through banking and lending, expanding the wealth and power of merchants who funded infrastructure and the military. More people moved to cities for work.

1. Changes in Medieval Society

2. Bubonic Plague Black Death Population was reduce 20-25 million Western Europe 25 million China 4 million Farmland was abandoned Serfs sought higher wages Manor system crumbled Church lost prestige Pessimism grew

3. An organization of individuals in the same business or occupation working to improve the economic and social conditions of its members Members Set working conditions Health insurance Funeral expenses Dowries for poor girls Community Almshouses for victims of misfortune Quality work Police streets Donate windows to church Apprentice Paid for training Lived with master Obey master Train 2-7 yr Single during training Become journeyman Journeyman Day worker for salary Worked 6 days week Produce a masterpiece Acceptance by guild to become master Master Owned shop Worked with other masters to protect trade Sometimes serve in civic gov’t Guilds Guild Services

4. Increased Trade More cash, banking, and lending services Merchant’s wealth and power expand More workers needed Merchant’s taxes increase the king’s power and wealth More money available for building businesses Serf’s move to town; workers paid for labor

5. Changes in Agriculture • From 800 to 1200 the climate warms, opening more land to farming Switch to Horsepower Harnessed horses replace oxen Horses plow three times as much a day, increasing food supply The Three-Field System Around 800 three-field system used—plant two fields, let one rest This produces more food and leads to population increase

7. 1000–1150, Europe’s population rises from 30 million to 42 million Towns are uncomfortable: crowded, dirty, full of fire hazards • Serfs can become free by living in a town for a year and a day

8. Crusaders return with Muslim knowledge of navigation, ships, weapons Groups of scholars gather to teach and learn; form universities • Written works not in Latin but in vernacular — everyday language Thomas Aquinas , a religious scholar, mixes Greek and Christian thought • scholastic —university man; debates issues to increase knowledge