The Black Death Flashcards
What was Bubonic plague prime cause?
Yersinia Pestis- transmitted through fleas and infested rats. Spread among trade routes, especially via maritime commerce.
When was the Black Death?
1347 to 1351
How did trade and urbanization effect plague?
Facilitated spread of plague especially through Mediterranean and along Silk Road. The growth of cities and urban centers created crowded conditions where disease could thrive.
How did hygiene come into play?
Cities in the 14th century had inadequate sanitation systems. Waste management was poor, and living conditions were often unsanitary- spread easier.
How did famine make plague worse?
Weakened population leading up to plague, making them more susceptible to it. The Great Famine (1315-1317)
How did war come into play with the spread?
The Hundred Years’ War and other conflicts contributed to the spread as armies moved across regions.
How many died from plague?
Estimated to have killed between 25% and 50% of Europe’s population.
What was the economic impact of black death?
The labor shortage resulted in increased wages for peasants and laborers- shift weakened feudal system.
How did it socially impact?
Death toll led to social unrest, surviving peasants wanted better conditions and rights. Uprisings like Peasants’ Revolt in England in 1381.
How did religion come into play post plague?
The Black Death challenged the authority of the Church, as many people struggled to reconcile the catastrophe with their faith.
How did plague cause Renaissance?
Saw shift in artistic and literary themes- focus on mortality and the human condition. This period contributed to the emergence of the Renaissance.
How did plague positively effect healthcare?
Prompted improvements in public health- laid groundwork for modern public health systems.
