1. The Troubled Fourteenth Century
In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:
Bubonic Plague
“Black Death”
Effects of the Plague
Demand for Labor
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2. During the 1300s, Western Europe experienced a series of hardships.
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3. Hardships
During the 1300s, Western Europe experienced a series of hardships.
Workers had little money and the cost of food was high.
Hunger and starvation increased as food prices rose.
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4. In 1348, a plague hit Western Europe.
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5. The Bubonic Plague A plague is a disease that causes high mortality.
The Bubonic Plague was carried by infected fleas on rats. Infected fleas bit humans and transmitted the disease.
People called this plague the “Black Death”.
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6. The disease made black spots on people’s skin. infected people
died within
a few days.
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7. Merchants and travelers spread the
disease.
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8. One-third of Western Europe’s population died.
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9. The Effects of the Plague
Between 1348 and 1400, one-third of Western Europe’s population died.
With fewer people left alive, there were fewer people to work and pay taxes.
The price of food dropped as supply was greater than demand.
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10. The Plague originated in Asia.
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11. Serfs Demanded Change
With fewer workers and workers in greater demand, serfs demanded better treatment and change.
It is important to remember that a serf was a peasant bound to his lord’s land.
Serfs were not free to leave the lord’s land. However, now that workers were in great demand, serfs began to seek ways to improve their status.
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12. The devastation of the plague changed Western Europe.
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13. The loss of life and the subsequent impact on the economy greatly
altered life in Western Europe.
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14. Questions for Reflection:
Where did the Bubonic Plague originate and how did it enter Western Europe?
Why was the Bubonic Plague referred to as the “Black Death”?
What were two significant effects of the Bubonic Plague?
How did the loss of life impact workers’ wages?
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