THE BLACK DEATH had infected everyone in Europe, killing 1/3 of the entire European population, starting the year 1348. The disease was brought to Europe on ships/boats by fleas. The fleas then infected the rats, which infected everyone else. Long and short-term impacts were caused by the Black Death, and some couldn’t be resolved for centuries.…
One of the greatest disasters of the Western Civilization is without a doubt the Black Plague, but the Black Plague isn’t like any of your other diseases, it was a plague that was determined to reduce more than half of the western population, this disease was destined to end all humankind, given it’s way. With the Europeans trading with the East, a rumor was being spread that an infectious disease was forming in Asia. In Jordan McMullin’s book, “The Black Death”, he discusses, “By September of 1345, the Yersinia pestis bacillus, probably carried by rats, reached the Crimea, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, where Italian merchants had a good number of trading colonies.” Everyone talks about how the spread of the Black Plague happened or how horrible the symptoms to the Black Plague were and but not a lot is discussed about the aftereffects of the Black Plague. By analyzing religion, social and economic artifacts during this time, we’ll see how the Black Plague impacted Western Civilization.…
Around 1339 in northwestern Europe, the population was beginning to outgrow the food supply and a severe economic crisis began to take place. The winters were extremely cold and the summers were dry. Due to this extreme weather, very low crops yielded and those that grew were dying. Inflation became a common occurrence and as famine broke out, people began to worry. The time period of approximately 1339 to 1346 is now known as the famine before the plague (history). These seven bad years of weather and famine lead to the greatest plague of all times. In 1347, endemic to Asia, The Black Death began spreading throughout Western Europe. Over the time of three years, the plague killed one third of the population in Europe with roughly twenty five million people dead (bbc.co). The Black Death killed more Europeans than any other endemic or war up to that time, greatly impacting the Church, family life, and the economy. These three social pillars were changed forever.…
The Black Death ended Feudalism, improved medicine, and weakened the power of the church. First off, when the Black Death swept through Europe it put an end to Feudalism. During the Middle ages everyone was supposed to know their place and there was a pyramid of hierarchy which was the setting stone for feudalism. The Pyramid of hierarchy was a chart that listed who was powerful and who had less power.…
Medieval society changed incessantly since the Black Death 1350. The plague itself changed social structures, attitudes towards minsters and relationship amongst peasants and higher classes. Nevertheless, the Black Death did subsidize positive effects. I personally will outline three main reasons medieval society actually improved in the 14th century.…
The Black death, also known as the plague killed many people in the fourteenth century. People from different countries, but most importantly religions opinions and responses differed as well. In my eyes, I believe the two main religions, Christianity and Muslim ( Islam ) had very different responses to the epidemic. For example, Christians prayed to their God and Jesus Christ that the disease would go away and that they would soon be healed, on the other hand, Muslims prayed for it to stay since they figured it was from God it had to have meaning or some type of gift. Even though Christians and Muslims had different ways to treat the disease the main focus was their response to the deadly disease. Over a course of three years many people thought the world was going to end, but let's go into detail and examine how different they really were.…
“Prior to the Plague, the Church, ruled by the Pope, was the sole guardian of religious thought and theology, dispensing information, blessings and curses as it saw fit. The general population had no access to the bible or scripture except that which was meted out by the priests and clergy. Anyone who questioned the teachings of the Church was denounced, excommunicated and sometimes burned at the stake” (The Impact). “The Black Death set the stage for more modern medicine and spurred changes in public health and hospital management. Frustrated with Black Death diagnoses that revolved around astrology and superstition, educators began placing greater emphasis on clinical medicine, based on physical science” (Effects of the Black Death). People grew tired of going to the church for help, when the church had no answers to their problem. “When the plague arrived, people believed it was a punishment of God. Therefore, they often turned to the Church for help. But since the priests and bishops could not actually offer a cure or even an explanation, the Catholic Church lost a lot of its influence and for many people, their view of the world changed drastically” (The Black Death). As a result, many of the clergy got sick and died. However, those that did not get sick, abandoned their post. ‘“With fewer priests, and quicker deaths, Pope Clement VI was forced to grant remission of sins to all who died of the…
The Black Death impacted Europe both socially and economically. This plague altered Europe’s art, faith and everyday peasant lifestyle. During the onslaught of death, art and literature took a dark turn to reflect the epic pandemic. Not only that but people's faith in God was also tested as people believed that he was abandoning them or even the cause of the Black Death itself.…
The Black Death caused so many deaths that many people who believed in God felt that the Black Death was " ... the wrath of God..."("Social and Economic"). Though priest were highly contacted throughout the time of the Black Death for spiritual protection against the Black Death but people still succumbed to the Black Death("Social and Economic"). By the end of the Black Death people started"...turning their backs on..." God, instead of being thankful for their survival(Edmonds 4). They started to harbored doubts about their faith(Edmonds 4). This caused a decline in faith in England rather than an increase in…
The Black Death is one of the most deadly epidemics in human history, and is taught in schools throughout the world. Though it is most known to have killed 50 million people in Europe it also ravaged Asia killing 25 million people. The Black Death is a type of plague called the Bubonic plague. Encyclopedia Britannica defines the Bubonic plague as, “an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Bubonic plague is the most commonly occurring type of plague and is characterized by the appearance of buboes—swollen, tender lymph nodes, typically found in the armpits and groin.” The Bubonic plague has surfaced nine times in human history: the Plague of Justinian (541-542), the Black Death (1346-1353), the Great Plague of Milan (1629-1631),…
This article exemplifies aftermath of the Black Death. The study that has taken place focuses on the periosteal bone formation of the victims’ remains. This would thus, indicate whether or not the victim’s lifestyle choice contributed to his or hers infection. The living conditions are an example of a contributing factor. One of the most predominate feature that the article focuses on is stress. During the 14th century, many people were stressed due to food shortages, working conditions and government. These would add up to their periosteal bone structure, which could be seen on the skeletal remains of the victims. Although, the plague had targeted older adults and those with physiological features. The results of this study is that the correlations…
The Middle Ages is often a time that is mislabeled. Some consider it to be a time of darkness and disorder. Others, specifically literary people, make it seem like a beautiful time of chivalry and knights who saved distressed maidens. Author Jeffrey L. Forgeng writes, “We are inclined today to romanticize the Middle Ages.” The Middle Ages was truly a time of great change for Europeans. It can be characterized by advancements in architecture and art, a strong religious following, and advancements in social and economic systems. One of the most discussed events during this period of time was the Black Plague. This pestilence devastated Europe but it can also be argued that it…
Up from the murky depths of the Middle Ages crept a devastatingly horrific and terrifying disease. Responsible for the deaths of millions, this disease, or plague was known as the Black Death. Although there is no certainty as to the location where the plague originated from, it is known that its deadly bacteria came from the foul belly of a single flea. When the Black Death began to take hold, unimaginable fear, panic and chaos swept through the hearts of Europe's people; the rich and the poor alike.…
In the 14th century, Europe and Midwest had to come across a very destructive disease that ate nations and caused the population to vanish. This was known as the Great Plague, Great Pestilence, and the Black Death. Although the doctors were not advanced in bacteria, most believed that bacteria stains caused the plague. During the time of the Black Death, religion was the most powerful force in the lives of most people. In the east and Midwest, there were two religions: Christianity and Islam. Their beliefs, causes, and how they prevented the Black Death made the Christian and Muslims responses diverse.…
In Europe, a different perspective was growing even before the Black Death struck in 1348. The economic, political and social changes stirred by the plague definitely affected the development of an awakening view that saw human life as valuable in its own right. In reaction to the Black Death, some artists saw the plague as punishment for too much emphasis on worldly things while others questioned the fact that God would allow so much suffering, subsequently turning away from the strict devotion of the middle ages. This would ultimately lead to the new form of humanism in Italy when artists began to depict and illustrate religious figures more humanly.…