1. What were the causes of social upheaval?

2. Time to think!
How did the growth of trade change feudal society in Europe?
How did the technologies of war affect society in Europe?
What were the causes of social upheaval?
How were the attitudes towards the catholic church changing?

3. Bubonic plague
First showed up in Europe in 1347 on trade ships from China
Estimated population of Europe
Before : 75 million
5 years later : 50 million
It is believed that it was originally spread by fleas and rodents
Symptoms : Swollen lymph glands, dark blotches on skin, high fever/ vomiting,
Most people died within 1 to 3 days

4. Doctors

5. Who is to blame? People could only speculate at the time
Some people believed it was God punishing them
Flagellants: religious people who would whip themselves in public as a way to repent
Jewish people were blamed as they were segregated from Christian society and did not have the same freedoms
In the French city of Strasbourg the townspeople killed the entire Jewish community because they believed the Jews has put poison in the water

6. Effects of the Black Death
30 to 60 % of population died for various reasons
Feudalism was greatly weakened
Manor life was based on farming. As the farm workers began to die this meant the lords couldn’t support their manor with food, products and taxes
People also died of starvation as food production greatly dropped
Serfs began to leave in search of higher wages as labour shortages increased their worth

7. The Peasants Revolt
Peasants across Europe were tired of being treated poorly and wanted answers for the better living conditions
In France
Nobles demanded high rent and low wages from the peasants after the 100 years war even though most of the land had been destroyed
Peasant armies banded together and killed many lords but were eventually defeated by the nobles

8. Revolt in England In England
Passed a law that lowered wages to the same as before the black death
Taxed everyone the same amount regardless of class
Peasants organized and marched on London killing any nobles they could find including an Archbishop
The English revolt leaders were captured and publicly executed and the serfs returned home where many of them were hung by their lords
While the revolt failed this signaled the end of serfdom

9. Questions What ways was feudalism weakened up to this point?
Who gained the most from social changes during this time period? Kings, lords, townspeople, peasants? Support you answer
What social issues are the most urgent in Canada right now?