How Did The Black Plague Change European Society

The Black Death was an unfortunate human tragedy devastating Europe in the fourteenth century wiping out 65% of the population. (Pollard, 384) However, it transformed European society for the better. The Black Death marked the beginning of an era. It was the Black Plague that spurred an “outpouring of cultural achievement…” (Pollard, 402) and revived political and economic stability that would later be known as the Renaissance. (Carlisle) Originating in Asia, the Black Plague infected peoples from China to Europe and killed an estimated 40 million. The Black Plague took three distinctive forms: The most common form of the disease was known as the Bubonic Plague. This disease was spread by infected fleas that attached themselves to rats- rats were known to dwell in heavily populated areas like the cities and would travel on ships to other countries further spreading the virus. (Pollard, 389) This
(Carlisle) Because there were fewer people to provide for more food was available and the price for land was lowered. Furthermore, just like the common fold, nobleman, and other who were struck with sickness, churchmen suffered equally. In the eyes of the people, because the clergy were unable to stop the plague, people viewed the church as being in disfavor with God. By the time Europe began recovering from the plague, the church needed men to serve; therefore, the church took any man to be ordained. This led people to disregard the authority of the Church and question its teachings. Because the church now possessed less power, and there was now an increase in wealth from there being less people, individuals began expanding on new ideas, sciences, history, and the arts. Instead of pouring time and money into religion people would spend their newfound wealth on funding for the arts, architecture, medicine, and expeditions to new places. Thus, the beginning of the