The Black Plague was the worst pandemic in history, wiping out nearly a third of the population of Europe during the 13th century, but it can also be considered a turning point of history. The Black Plague caused a ripple effect that had a hand in the change of societal construct, religion, the arts, and medicine.
Societal Hierarchy
During the High Middle Ages, Feudalism and the Societal Hierarchy was the social construct of the land. In that time period only 10% of peasants were actually free men, the rest were under the social class of serfs. Europe was becoming overpopulated due to periods of peace and prosperity, making it incredibly convenient for cheap labor. Working for the lords of the land, Serfs were very much close to slaves, but this all changed during the 1350s. The population began to decline due to mass starvation caused by poor harvest, throughout parts of Europe. Increased warfare also contributed to decline in population, such as Hundred Years’ War. Perhaps the most detrimental of all this is, the black plague, which began to wreak havoc in Europe around 1348. The Black Plague, “Black Death”, was a disease that civilization had no answer to. The massive deaths of the population caused the feudal lords to face severe labor shortages,
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Most concoctions that were given were just remedies to relieve symptoms as there is no cure -- even to this day. “Headaches were relieved by rose, lavender, sage and bay. Sickness or nausea was treated with wormwood, mint, and balm. Lung problems were treated with liquorice and comfrey. Vinegar was used as a cleansing agent as it was believed that it would kill disease.” The shortcomings of medical science were highlighted by the Black Plague, it caused people to change their focus. People became aware of the need of surgeons and focus on human bodies different various states of sickness and
The 1300s Bubonic Plague, also known as The Black Death was the greatest epidemic known to mankind. This Plague started in 1347 and proceeded up until 1351, executing an estimated amount of 25 million individuals. It was relatively difficult to keep one from catching this infectious disease. The virus traveled not only through inflicted flea bites, but it was airborne as well. Attacking the rich, the poor, newborns and elders, everybody was an easy target. I firmly believe that the 1300s Bubonic Plague changed the way of world history.
The black death came through Western Europe from 1348-1949. The black death is a deadly disease that killed huge amounts of people. Some names that the black death is known as are the “Bubonic Plague”, “Black Plague”, and “The Plague”. The Black Death is a disease that was spreaded quickly and that is how it killed so many people. It spreaded through cough and touching and thats why it spread so quickly everywhere. The black death was deadly because it caused the skin to die, swelling, pain then death. The black death was a powerful disease and caused many changes to take place in the society.
Significant events cause society to change in many ways and the Black Death was no exception. The Black Death raged through Europe from 1347 to 1351 killing over 25 million people, almost 50% of the population at the time . The Black Death influenced European society in numerous ways, which have changed the future we currently live in. The Black Death led to medical advancements, weakening in the power of the church and the refining of the feudal system. The Black Death was a time of death and destruction however changes happening at the time benefitted society and led to an age of happiness and prosperity.
In the late Middle Ages the worst evil known to man terrorized Europe. People were dropping dead everywhere and there was no place to put them. This vicious culprit was known as the Black Plague. During the 14th century in Europe millions of people died from the plague and the plague brought about great change. Before the plague there was peace and prosperity in the High Middle Ages and after the plague things were different. Historians consider the outbreak of the Black Plague a watershed moment because of great social, religious and economical changes.
To begin with, the Black Plague was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. Resulting in 75 million to 200 million deaths and it was peaking in Europe in the year 1346 ( Pg. TeachTci). A major factor of the Black Plague was, that when the people who gathered on the docks to greet the ships, were surprised because most of the sailors were dead, and the rest that were living were gravely ill. The Bubonic Plague (Black Plague) derives its name from the giant swellings or buboes that appeared on the victim’s neck, armpits, and legs (History). The Black Plague changed the way doctors examined the disease and how fast it killed or just affected people.
One of the most devastating pandemics in history during the 14th century caused turmoil and massive death amongst Europe. The disastrous disease known as the Black Death ultimately wrenched society in melancholia and disseverment. As a result, a series of social and economic upheavals had a profound effect on society; creating lack of optimism of better days. The people suffered religiously because the pandemic displayed a darker side of life leaving them to question their beliefs. Eventually, such upheavals relinquished and a sanguine time befitted Europe. Although the black plague claimed the lives of millions and placed kingdoms in turmoil, the plague actually improved economic conditions for its survivors. Depopulation allowed wealth for many people and Europe was on its way into a new age of prosperity.
Can you imagine all of your family becoming weak and withering right before your eyes, never knowing if you were going to be next? This was a reality for many people in Europe during the 1300’s. The Black Death caused havoc for the Medieval culture, which caused people to trust all sorts of rumors that ended up being bogus. Along with the major adjustments the Black Death had on Medieval culture, the bedevil also ended up slaughtering 75 million people, which had major modifications on economy. Finally, the Black Death had major effects on the social classes and how they fit into feudalism. Feudalism was a social system that met the needs of its people, but because of the Black Death, feudalism came to it’s long awaited end, causing
Feeling sick is not fun at all. There is over 80 different types of diseases we know about. The earth's population is 7.4 billion people. Imagine if one third to half of that population was killed by a disease. That would be between 2.4 to 3.4 billion people killed by a disease. This was the case of the bubonic plague in Europe from 1348-1349. The bubonic sometimes called the Black Death. This plague was very deadly. The way it spread was through rats and fleas. The fleas would carry the disease and they would bite the rats which infected the rats. The rats then spread the disease to the humans which then spread it even more. The Black Death changed many aspects in society at this time. The Black Plague caused many changes to society such as making the people feel like God is punishing them, the food supply diminished, and there was a high demand for labor.
As the Black Death swept through Europe it also ended Feudalism. Serfs had a complete advantage; just due to the fact that they were able to leave the place that they dedicated their lives to in exchange for seeking better pay in towns that might have had a scarce amount of workers. Also Barons came to the realization that since there where a shortage of worker, then they should promote better pay and provide better living situations. Barons really didn’t have the knights and serfs to boss around, so the few that were left throughout European society were faced with comprising in order to
The Black Death changed the society and economy greatly. Some of those changes were for better and others for the worst. The Black Death was one of the most detrimental natural disaster that ever hit Europe. It shaped Europe to be what we know today.
How terrifying would it be for someone to see the people they know die right in front of their eyes? This is what happened to those who lived in Europe during the time of the plague. The plague had multiple causes as well as effects on the society as a whole and the people.
The Black Death did more bad than good. Families were ripped apart friends turned on each other. Also it took millions of people's lives. The plague also made everyone only fend for themselves and instilled fear in the people. As well as the pain it brought a lot of economic destruction that took years to fix. But it did give new opportunities to the lower class. The loss and tragedy outways the gain very largely. This is an important topic to study because we should learn from this that when a tough time comes around we should stick together to find a solution and not shut each other
There have been many catastrophes throughout history, but none of them have had an impact upon society like the infamous Black Death. One of the reasons Black Death was so serious is it can be transmitted in various ways. The catastrophe known as the Black Death has influenced modern society in many ways. Some of the ways Black Death influenced society is economically, socially, and scientifically.
Overall the Black Plague was a very sad event in history. It was caused by fleas infected with "Yersinia Pestis" that lived on rats. It effected people in many ways, especially by taking their hope, and the plague is very
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.