THE BLACK DEATH

THE BLACK DEATH What: A Bubonic and Pneumonic

plague pandemic When: 1330s - 1350s and continuing

sporadically for hundreds of years Where: Began somewhere in Central

Asia and spread to East and West along trade routes w/ Mongol armies.

THE BLACK DEATH

The disease was carried by fleas on diseased rats. Fleas bit and infected humans.

Human to human spread may also have taken place.

THE BLACK DEATH

In Asia and the Islamic World, medical advancements – treatments and hospitals-- and sanitation efforts limited the effects of the plague.

As it spread into Western Europe, its effects were more devastating.

THE BLACK DEATH in Europe

IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!!!

There was no explanation for the plague, there was no cure, and it didn’t seem to end.

Ring around the rosie, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes WE ALL FALL DOWN!

THE BLACK DEATH in Europe

Ring around the rosie, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes WE ALL FALL DOWN!

Results of the Black Death

1/4 to 1/2 of the entire population of Europe died (about 28 million).

Faith in God increased, but the institution and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church were questioned.

Results of the Black Death

Results of the Black Death

Skilled and manual laborers who survived demanded higher wages or better treatment. (Serfdom nearly disappeared.)

Results of the Black Death

End of the Medieval Period? The Black Death, along with the Crusades

and the contact with the Islamic World, changes in the Church, and changes in warfare all led to a new period in Western Europe.