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The Troubled Fourteenth Century

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

Bubonic Plague

“Black Death”

Effects of the Plague

Demand for Labor

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During the 1300s,

Western Europeexperienceda series ofhardships.

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Hardships

• During the 1300s, Western Europe experienced a series of hardships.

• Workers had little money and the cost of food was high.

• Hunger and starvation increased as food prices rose.

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In 1348, a plague hit Western Europe.

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The Bubonic Plague

• A plague is a disease that causes high mortality.

• The Bubonic Plague was carried by infected fleas on rats. Infected fleas bit humans and transmitted the disease.

• People called this plague the “Black Death”.

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The disease made blackspots on

people’s skin.infected people

died withina few days.

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Merchants and travelers spread thedisease.

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One-third of Western Europe’s populationdied.

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The Effects of the Plague

• Between 1348 and 1400, one-third of Western Europe’s population died.

• With fewer people left alive, there were fewer people to work and pay taxes.

• The price of food dropped as supply was greater than demand.

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The Plague originated in Asia.

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Serfs Demanded Change• With fewer workers and workers in greater

demand, serfs demanded better treatment and change.

• It is important to remember that a serf was a peasant bound to his lord’s land.

• Serfs were not free to leave the lord’s land. However, now that workers were in great demand, serfs began to seek ways to improve their status.

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The devastation of the plaguechanged Western Europe.

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The loss of life and the subsequentimpact on the economy greatly altered life in Western Europe.

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Questions for Reflection:

• Where did the Bubonic Plague originate and how did it enter Western Europe?

• Why was the Bubonic Plague referred to as the “Black Death”?

• What were two significant effects of the Bubonic Plague?

• How did the loss of life impact workers’ wages?