The black death Flashcards
Defining the Black Death
It was a bubonic plague pandemic
Which event caused the rapid death
No one at the time new the real cause however it is now believed that it was spread from asia on trading ships. Some people at the time though that it was a punishment from God
Changes to burial practices
Mass burials were common with no religious ceremony
Weakening of feudal system
The feudal system weakened because of the drop in population and lack of labourers and workers now had more bargaining power and social status. They could now demand higher wages
Medicine
Only the wealthy were treated by trained professionals, other were treated by monks or nun.
Bloodletting to remove dirty blood, Leeches to suck out blood, forcing vomiting
Public response
People and their entire household were quarantined once they got sick and a red cross was put on the door. People turned to bishops for blessings and help
Weakening of the church
People saw that the black death wasn’t stopped by priests and nuns so they lost faith in the church. People started to openly criticize the church. Reformation happened where Martin Luther publicly challenged the church, this led to the church being less dominant.
The effect on towns
Doctors started to focus on clinical practice and stopped using astrology and superstition. Doctors started to learn more about the human body through autopsies and hospitals became a place for treatment.
