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The Black Death

From 1347-1351 the Black Death, or Black Plague struck Europe killing one in four people. The Black Death. The Spread of the Black Death. Disease was carried by fleas on black rats.

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The Black Death

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  1. From 1347-1351 the Black Death, or Black Plague struck Europe killing one in four people. The Black Death

  2. The Spread of the Black Death • Disease was carried by fleas on black rats. • The disease started out in Mongolia in 1331-32. From there it went west to Russia and made its way to Europe by entering the ports in Sicily, Italy in 1347. • The plague spread throughout Europe northward

  3. Three Types of Plagues • The Black Death was a combination of three types of plagues: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic. • Bubonic plague: When a flea infected with the bacteria yersinia pestis bit a human, the flea’s bite sent bacteria into the persons lymphatic system. Painful bumps (buboes) developed on the persons infected body in their groin, armpit, or neck. If the bumps opened the bacteria spilled out and the person would die. After exposure, once the first bump appeared most people died within three days. • Septicemic plague: When the deadly bacteria infected the person bloodstream. The bacteria multiplied so quickly that a person who was feeling well could die within a few hours. • Pneumonic plague: When a person infected with the plague got pneumonia and started coughing up blood. Pneumonic plague is spread by bacteria-filled air and was by far the most deadly killing people within a few days.

  4. The Black Death • People would get buboes filled with blood and pus, headaches, chills, and fevers that caused some people to convulse or shake. This became known as “the dance of death.” • Crowded cities and towns had the highest deaths. • About 20 million people perished (1/4 to 1/3 of the European population died). • Worst natural disaster in recorded history.

  5. The Black Death

  6. The Black Death • Medieval doctors didn’t know what caused the plague, but they realized it spread through the air. To avoid the plague doctors told townspeople to move to the countryside and avoid public events. • People viewed the plague as a punishment from God. • People panicked and became lawless. • Flagellants marched in groups and beat themselves and others with sticks and whips to appease God. • Art became morbid with scenes of death and decay. • Jews were blamed for the plague by poisoning wells and as a result many Jews were massacred.

  7. The Black Death Effects • Millions of deaths from the plague resulted in decreased food production and prices of some foods to increase. • The value of land decreased and agricultural income declined, as a result in some countries peasants were forced to work for a fixed wage, this caused tension between peasants and nobles and many uprisings. • There was a rise in the middle class, because of increased trading and prosperity. • The Church loses prestige because people believe they do not need the clergy to lead them to salvation. • People go on pilgrimages. • Decreased population and end of the manorial system.

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