The Black Death Europe 1346 to 1352 C.E.

This work by the Flemish master allegorically depicts the Black Death’s many devastating effects on life in Europe.

The Black Death was a catastrophic plague caused by the bacterium Pasteurella pestis. It occurred in three forms:   Pneumonic plague attacked the lungs, causing fierce coughing and sneezing fits;   Septicemic plague, the rarest and most deadly form, traveled in the bloodstream, causing black spots beneath the skin and eventually causing the victim to choke on his or her own blood;   Bubonic plague, the most common form, first appeared as egg-sized swellings, called buboes, in the neck, armpits, and groin, before causing fever and delirium.

Notes on the Black Death:   What was the Black Death? It was a deadly plague that spread across Europe from 1346-1352. It was caused by a form of bacteria.

The plague originated in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert The plague originated in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. It moved along the Silk Route with trade caravans to the shores of the Black Sea. Italian merchant ships took on loads of silk, porcelain, spices, and plague-infested rats. The rats jumped ship in each of Europe’s ports such as Marseilles and Pisa. From there the goods, and Black Death, were taken to inland cities and rural towns.

Although it was first reported in Sicily in A. D Although it was first reported in Sicily in A.D. 1347, the plague spread around Europe, reaching England in late 1348, and arrived in Russia 6 years later.

Europeans’ ignorance of causes and cures allowed the diseases to spread. They blamed: the alignment of the planets the infected clothing God, who was angry at sinful humans the Jews Remedies at that time were primitive. Europeans believed that pomaders, which were oranges stuck with cloves or a mixture of aged molasses and chopped snake would protect them from the disease.

Flagellants were a group of religious fanatics who whipped themselves (flagellated) publicly with iron spikes to earn God’s forgiveness.  Flagellants also believed Jews had poisoned wells in order to spread the disease, so Jews were murdered. 

End Results of the Plague:   The Black Death killed one-third of Europe’s population, nearly 25 million people. Some cities lost more than half their citizens. Fear of the disease caused people to turn against the unfortunate who became infected, sometimes walling up houses at the first sign of infection, enclosing sick and healthy alike.

Notes: The Black Death originated in Mongolia (the Gobi Desert) and spread to the Black Sea, along the Silk Road. The bacteria were carried on fleas, which lived on rats. Merchant ships brought the flea-infested rats to Europe.   People couldn’t stop it because: They were ignorant about its cause. They tried ineffective cures

Europe’s Economic and Social Life Changed: Massive death caused reduced demand in wheat and grain markets. Farmers had to diversify, and instead began to grow fruit, meat, and dairy products like cheese. As Europe began to recover, fewer workers were available. Serfs, peasants, and city workers could demand more freedom and/or higher wages for their labor. Workers rose up against the upper classes and demanded new rights.

Many working class people improved their situations Many working class people improved their situations. Some serfs escaped to cities. This caused towns to grow bigger and more important, while lords and their manors grew less powerful.

Notes on the Black Death: How did the Black Death change life in Europe? It killed up to 1/3 of the population. Peasants (serfs) revolted, and demanded more freedom. Serfs ran away to find paying jobs. The working class (freemen) moved to cities to earn better wages. The movement of serfs to cities weakened the feudal system, and reduced the power of the feudal lords.