The Devastating Impact of the Black Death in Europe: Origins, Spread, and Consequences
The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death, ravaged Europe between 1347-1352, wiping out nearly 1/3 of the population. Originating from the Orient Rat Flea transported to Europe through trade routes, the disease caused severe symptoms such as enlarged lymph nodes, headaches, and skin discoloration. With no effective treatments available, communities resorted to practices like burning incense and quarantine. The Church struggled to provide answers, leading to unrest and revolt among the faithful. Witness accounts describe the harrowing scenes of death and despair during this catastrophic period in history.
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The Black Death The Black Death
The Bubonic Plague Ravaged through Europe between 1347-1352. Wiped out nearly 1/3 of Europe s total population! Where did it start? How did it begin? What exactly was the disease? Were there any treatments?
The Orient Rat Flea After the Crusades, Europe s trade empire grew to include the Middle East, India, and China. The Rat Fleas were transported by boats to Europe.
Symptoms 1. Enlarged and inflamed lymph nodes (around arm pits, neck and groin) 2. Headaches, nausea, aching joints, fever of 101-105 degrees, vomiting 3. Skins turns black and purple due to blood vessel and blood cell damage.
Variations of the Black Death
Treatments? Burn incense to counter the smell of death. Quarantine the afflicted. Burn fires around one s self.
The Role of the Church People wanted answers, but the priests and bishops didn't have any. The clergy abandoned their Christian duties and fled. People prayed to God and begged for forgiveness. After the plague, ended angry and frustrated villagers started to revolt against the church.
An Account of the Plague "How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, breakfast with their kinfolk and the same night supped with their ancestors in the next world! The condition of the people was pitiable to behold. They sickened by the thousands daily, and died unattended and without help. Many died in the open street, others dying in their houses, made it known by the stench of their rotting bodies. Consecrated churchyards did not suffice for the burial of the vast multitude of bodies, which were heaped by the hundreds in vast trenches, like goods in a ships hold and covered with a little earth." -Giovanni Boccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio Wrote Decameron in 1353. Some sought more temperate life, others engaged in sexual promiscuity, others fled the countries or lived in solitude.
They would walk from town to town whipping their own backs; feeling that they must suffer to achieve forgiveness from God. Only then will they be saved. (Or so they believed.)
Scapegoats Jews were blamed for the Black Death. Pogroms led by the Flagellants occurred.
Social, Economic Consequences Wages for farmed laborers increased. Skilled artisans needed. Agricultural prices fell. Noble landowners lost power.
Statute of Laborers in England Limited wages to pre-plague conditions. Peasants revolted.
French Response Increased the taille- a direct tax on the peasantry. The Jacquerie- a French peasant uprising occurred.
A Mystery Still Today The Black Death mysteriously vanished around 1352. The final toll was 1/3 of Europe s population was dead, financial ruin for many regions, and unaccounted for misery that would last for decades.
