In Fourteenth Century Europe, there was a network of roads and sea routes were linked to create international trade. These trading ships were docked at a Port in Sicily (Italy) after a long journey through the Black Sea from Asia. This was a major trade route where Italian merchants traded for silks and spices to be brought to Europe. Apparently, Asian black rats carried fleas with the plague that somehow burrowed into the ship’s grain sacks. This is the theory of what caused the plague to spread throughout Europe. It is rumored that the Black Death began in Asia and arrived in Europe in October 1347. Although the Black Death was devastating to Europe because it killed around one half to seventy-five percent of the population, it also benefitted Europeans by starting the Renaissance and helping the economy. There were long term effects from the Black Death, such as a decrease in the world population, but overall it had a positive impact on the World economy and it provided a golden opportunity for advancement for the survivors of the Black Death.
The Black Death was a devastating disease. It was the most terrible catastrophe that struck the human race during recorded history. No other disease or war had been so touched so many human lives. It was frustrating because no one knew what caused the disease. Many towns of medieval Europe were cramped and crowded and there was not a working sanitation system. The plague began to spread within the population because of the condition of the cities and the lack of understanding of health care. The rats within the cities became infected from the fleas brought in by trading ships and people became ill. Since conditions within the cities were not sanitary, there was no way to stop the disease from spreading. The medieval doctors could offer no comfort or cure since they had no cure to treat this disease. (McGowan 27-30) The Black Death had a significant impact on the world population.
The Black Death