The Black Death Flashcards
The Great Famine 1315-1322
The Great Famine occurred during the warming trends of the climate, which led to a population explosion in Europe. Malnutrition was evident. Because there were so many people close together, they were vulnerable to a pandemic. Buffer zones closed between the wilderness and human settlement due to the population size and because of this, they were affected by a disease which caused the Black Death.
Italian Port Cities
Where the plague entered Europe
Death Toll of Plague 1347-1350
Attrition rate: 50-66%
Boccacio’s Decameron
“Observed preemptive measures taken by population for fear of disease (such as quarantine and isolation).
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Theory of Contagion
Basically the theory people had in Christian Europe and the Islamic empires that people could get sick by merely being on contact with other sick people/their posessions. Expounded upon in one of the readings by a Muslim man going by the name of Ibn Al-Khatib (he was killed by a mob before a trial for his beliefs on contagion going against the fatwas). Page 135 in the new reader.
Gabriele de Mussis
Man from a city in northern Italy in the readings who thought of the plague in terms of a dialogue between God and the Earth. Combined imagery from Astrology and the Book of Revelation to describe the horrors of the sickness being spread around him. Page 131 in the new reader.
Vision of the Apocalypse
Flagellants
“Roamers who whipped themselves – spread climate of intense hysteria.
- Arose in response to belief that the plague was God’s punishment to humankind.
+ In response to idea of original sin and innate depravity (inherent immortality)
Fueled the question: Are we being punished because we’re allowing these Jews to live among us?
Fatwas against the Flight and Isolation
“Decrees issued to discourage fleeing and encourage staying to support the suffering community in Islamic regions—esp. Sunni Mamluk territory. In response to:
1) Emphasis on maintenance of community (as opposed to Europe’s case of fleeing).
2) View of plague as a “collective social calamity”
"”Redeem yourself in the eyes of God by sticking by the side of your Muslim brothers and sisters.””
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“Reverent Resignation”
Islamic mentality of accepting the plague as a part of God’s plan –> this is all his divine will.
Bargaining power of peasantry
“The serfs that survived the plague would bargain for better wages because they recognized the nobles’ desperate need for labor; they would sometimes even lead manors and claim abandoned land.
- Demanded to be paid in currency (silver and gold too) – allowed for more flexibility.
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Demographic shifts
“People moved into towns looking for manufacturing jobs (new openings in skilled labor) – greater availability of opportunities in these urban areas.
Restrictions on joining guilds relaxed after plague. - Gave rise to middle class – more wages, better living standards, more prominent political voice of these middle class people (in towns and cities).
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Rise of urban middle class
New Concumption patterns
“Gold, silver, property, etcetera—there were fewer people to take advantage of these, which led an increase in purchasing power of the survivors.
- Everything consumed in greater proportions!
- Higher demand for manufactured luxury goods.
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Implications for Renaissance
“Due to the demographic changes caused by the plague, there was a surge in creativity among the survivors - people had to figure out new ways to accomplish daily tasks without relying upon large masses of unskilled workers to harvest crops, re-learn trading guild crafts, etc. Also had an effect on art and worldy outlooks.
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