POD Quiz 10 Flashcards
How did the Black Death spread across Europe, and what role did trade routes and ships play in its rapid spread?
How the Black Death Spread
The Black Death was caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis and spread through fleas living on rats.
Poor sanitation and overcrowded cities made it easy for infected fleas to spread the disease to humans.
The plague was also airborne, allowing it to pass from person to person.
The Role of Ships and Trade Routes
Ships carrying infected sailors, rats, and cargo spread the disease from port to port.
The first major European outbreak began in Messina, Sicily, in 1347, after infected ships arrived.
The plague quickly spread to major trade cities like Marseilles, Rome, and Florence.
Merchant and travel routes helped the disease move inland, devastating cities across Europe.
Impact on Society
With no understanding of bacteria, people struggled to stop the disease, leading to massive loss of life.
Fear and panic caused people to abandon their families and communities.
Trade, agriculture, and economies collapsed as workers died and businesses shut down.
It also led to food and wool shortages because livestock were also affected by the plague
What were some of the ways people tried to stop the plague, and why were they mostly ineffective?
Misunderstanding the Disease
People didn’t know about bacteria or how diseases spread, so their efforts were based on superstition and fear.
Some believed the plague came from “poisonous air” and tried to purify it by burning aromatic (smell good) herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Plague doctors would wear masks with long beaks filled herbs and flowers
People tried to pray away the disease with little success.
Ineffective Medical Treatments
Doctors practiced bloodletting, thinking removing “bad blood” would cure the sick, but this often made patients weaker.
Boil-lancing—cutting open infected buboes—was done without sanitation, leading to infections that made things worse.
Many treatments were painful, dangerous, and had no real effect on stopping the plague.
What strategies did people use to avoid catching the plague that were actually effective?
Quarantine and Isolation
Some cities, like Venice, enforced quarantine rules, keeping ships offshore for 40 days before allowing them to dock.
Infected houses were sealed off to prevent the disease from spreading to others.
Some people fled cities to less populated areas, reducing their exposure to infected individuals.
Avoiding Contaminated Bodies and Waste
People who avoided touching the dead or staying near mass burial sites had a lower chance of infection.
Some cities removed corpses quickly or banned public gatherings to limit exposure to infected people.
Cleaning streets of waste and rotting bodies helped reduce the spread of disease.
Limiting Contact with Fleas and Rats
Some doctors and individuals wore thick clothing or leather to protect against flea bites.
Keeping homes clean and avoiding contact with rodents and animals reduced exposure to infected fleas.
Later, people learned that fires or smoke could drive away rats and fleas, lowering disease spread.
What was the Magna Carta and what was its purpose?
What was the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta was a document written in 1215 in England.
It was created to limit the power of the king and protect the rights of nobles.
It introduced ideas like rule of law, trial by jury, and taxation with representation.
What was its purpose?
King John was abusing his power and making unfair demands on the nobles.
The nobles forced him to sign the Magna Carta to protect their rights and make sure even the king had to follow the law.
It set the foundation for fair government and individual rights that are still important today.
What is the historical significance and lasting impact of the Magna Carta?
Foundation for Democracy
The Magna Carta introduced the idea that no one is above the law—not even the king. This concept becomes known as the rule of law.
It was one of the first steps toward a government where leaders must follow rules too.
This idea later influenced democratic systems, like those in the U.S. and other countries, where people have a say in how they are governed.
Influence on Future Documents
The ideas in the Magna Carta helped shape important documents like the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
It also influenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects people’s freedoms around the world.
These documents all use Magna Carta’s main idea: governments must respect people’s rights and follow the law.
How does the U.S. Constitution limit the power of leaders?
Separation of Powers
The U.S. Constitution reflects the Magna Carta’s idea of limiting power by dividing the government into three branches.
The executive branch, led by the president, enforces the laws.
The legislative branch, made up of Congress, is responsible for making the laws.
Congress has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets the laws and checks if they follow the Constitution.
This system of separation of powers makes sure no one branch becomes too powerful, similar to how the Magna Carta limited the king.
Each branch can check the others, so they must work together and follow the law
How do primary source documents like the Magna Carta help future generations create stronger governments?
Primary sources help us understand where ideas began
The Magna Carta was one of the first documents to say that leaders—even kings—had to follow the law. It introduced early ideas like fair trials and limited power.
Future documents built on these original ideas
The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution used similar ideas but expanded them. They added stronger protections for rights like free speech, voting, and equal treatment.
Learning from the past helps improve governments
By studying earlier documents, leaders could avoid old mistakes and build systems that were more fair and balanced. This shows how understanding history helps us create stronger societies.
