1. The Plague

2. The Black Death- What was it? In 1347, a great deadly disease that swept over Europe causing widespread hysteria and death I/3 of the Population died It came in 3 forms: Bubonic, Septicemic and Pneumonic Bubonic and Septicemic are spread through direct contact with an infected flea. Pneumonic was spread through breathing the air of an infected person Symptoms—High fever, vomiting blood, swollen lymphnodes “buboes” in the neck, groin and armpit areas. Red bumps turned to black and the victims has a week to live.

3. Why couldn’t people stop the Black Death? Either there was no treatment, or the doctors were ignorant about what to do about it. They did not know the cause. People tried all sorts of things like scents to ward off deadly vapors, the cure of sound, positive thinking, and refraining from poultry, fish, and exercise. Quarantine and sitting among fires (b/c intense heat killed the organism) were effective treatments used.

4. How did the Plague Spread? It began in China’s Gobi Desert. Fleas living on the blood of infected rats then transferred the disease to people. In 1347, Italian merchant ships returned from the Black Sea, one of the links along the trade route between Europe and China. The disease was either carried by the people on board the ships or by rodents. The spread of the plague followed the geography of the medieval trade route moving from the Near East to the W. Mediterranean to N. Europe and then to Russia making a circular trip from Asia and back again.

6. The Effect on European Civilization

7. How did it effect the People? Everyone was affected. Cities that were very populated were more susceptible because people lived closer and there were not good hygiene practices. The healthy avoided the sick as much as they could. People were left to die by themselves. Only priests and nuns would attend to the sick, and then soon they would be stricken.

8. How did it change life in Europe? Within 2 years, 1 of every 3 Europeans died, though some places were hit harder than others Wages increased b/c of labor shortage and specialists were in high demand and could demand higher wages Prices fell b/c due to the mortality there was an increase in available goods Standard of living increased for those alive Landlords stopped freeing serfs b/c of the need for labor to continue feudalism, leads to Peasant Revolts

9. Giovanni Boccacio This Italian writer gave a first hand account of the Plague in “The Decameron” vol. I “The authority of law almost disappeared because the lawmen and police were sick or dead or left the cities to get away. Every man was able to do as he pleased” “Brother abandoned Brother” “Mothers and Fathers abandoned their children as if they had not been theirs.”

10. Sources The Black Death, 1348," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2001). The Black Death--http://www.insecta- inspecta.com/fleas/bdeath/Black.html Boccaccio, Giovanni, The Decameron vol. I (translated by Richard Aldington illustrated by Jean de Bosschere) (1930). Gottfried, Robert, The Black Death (1983).