6th Grade UBD - Unit 9- The Black Death
The Black Death Spread Quickly- Plagues, infectious diseases that spread among a large population of people, were not uncommon in the Middle Ages. Once rooted in Europe, the Black Death spread quickly and efficiently through the population. The Black Death Changed Europe and Asia- The Black Death ravaged Europe and Asia, leading to economic, political, and social changes.
The Black Death that occurred across Europe in the 14th century. The plague affected the social, political, and economic systems of Europe and Asia. Write about a time when you have been really sick. (5 minutes)
Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)
The plague came to Europe and the Middle East from China through trade routes. Fleas and infected rats spread the disease throughout the city and countryside. Certain hygienic practices helped the bubonic plague spread quickly.
Key Term Plague- Any widespread and usually highly contagious disease with a high fatality rate.
Plagues, infectious diseases that spread among a large population of people, were not uncommon in the Middle Ages. Plagues had broken out before in East Asia and spread to Europe and North Africa, but they usually subsided.
In the 1200s CE, Mongol armies conquered many cities in Asia. As they continued to spread the borders of their empire, they carried the plague with them.
Video- Origins of the Plague
The Italian trading city of Caffa was attacked by Mongol warriors who used the bodies of plague victims in their catapults. Italian sailors escaping the city brought the disease into Europe. Not only were they infected, but they brought rats with fleas containing the plague.
Key Term Black Death- An outbreak of bubonic plague that was pandemic throughout Europe and much of Asia in the 14th century.
The plague then began to spread across Europe. The bubonic plague had two forms in which it could spread from person to person.
The first form of the disease could infect the victim’s blood. In this case, boils would appear on his or her skin. The person would then begin to bleed internally. Simple physical contact, such as a hug, a kiss, or even a handshake could spread the disease.
In the second form of the disease, coughing, sneezing and breathing could spread the disease. With this form, physical contact between people was not necessary for the disease to spread.
Video- The Plague Arrives
The Black Death spread through Europe on trade routes. Death rates were often more than 50 percent of the population of a city, and often entire towns were wiped out.
There was no treatment for the plague. One aspect of the plague that increased the death tolls was its cyclical nature. The disease would return every 10 years over a 100- year period. Each new outbreak caused fear, panic, and death.
The Black Death is a reminder of the vulnerability of humans to diseases and viruses. Today, the world is highly interconnected through trade. Small animals and insects carry disease and in many parts of the world, substandard hygienic practices threaten the health of the population. These factors make it possible for an outbreak similar to the Black Death to explode across our world.
The depopulation of Europe led to a labor shortage. Because workers were in greater demand, they began to receive higher wages. An increase in wages led to inflated prices for everyday goods. Landowners were forced to pay wages to keep their tenants leading to an increase in wealth in the peasant class.
The high contagion rate of the Black Death caused people to avoid each other. Many fled towns and cities.
Doctors avoided seeing sick patients because they were afraid of catching the plague. Priests would not visit sick people to give them the last rites.
Doctors believed that costuming himself would keep him safe from the Black Death. The beak was filled with a sweet-smelling substance to block out the stink of the dead.
Reading Handout- Call the Doctor
Many believed God was punishing humans by sending the plague. They began to lose faith in the Roman Catholic Church.
Others, however, saw the plague as a sign that humans needed to be more devoted. Some religious fanatics began to travel from town to town, whipping themselves to show God how devout they were.
Key Term Flagellants- Someone who whips themselves for religious discipline or public penance.
With the high death rate, a depopulation of Europe occurred. Almost one-third of the continent’s population died. This severely limited the number of workers, and many construction projects were abandoned.
A limited population meant that workers could demand more pay for their labor. This led to inflation. This increase of wealth for laborers also increased their social status.
Video- A Change in the Social Structure
The feudal society that existed at the beginning of the 14th century collapsed as laborers left the manor lands and moved into cities for more opportunities.
The opening of farmlands led to an increase in animal herds, as more land could be given to sheep and cattle instead of wheat and oats. A surplus of wool and the increased labor in the cities led to a boost in the textile industry.
The Black Death severely changed the political, social, and economic landscape of Europe. With the collapse of feudalism, and a movement away from the Catholic Church, people began to look outside their position in life for more knowledge.
The Black Death reduced the population of Europe by approximately one-third. It reached all classes of society, the resulting labor shortage led to growth of towns and cities and the end of the feudal system, as serfs began to receive wages for their work.
Reading Handout- A Dark Time
What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)
Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)