Black Death Lecture Notes

Flashcards about the Black Death in Europe

Bubonic Plague

The disease that led to the Black Death.

Central Asia

The area where the Black Death is believed to have originated.

Rodents

Animals that traveled in caravans and on merchandise, spreading the plague to Europe.

Ships

A mode of transportation that helped spread the plague.

Boccaccio

An author who described the breakdown of laws and societal rules during the Black Death.

Laws and Rules of Society

Were not followed during the Black Death, as people abandoned property and common decency became rarer because ministers and executioners were dead, so people didn't follow the laws.

Hygiene

Had an impact on the death tolls of the Black Death; human filth was dumped onto the streets, attracting rodents and fleas, and there was no running water for washing hands.

Population of Europe

Plummeted from 75 million to 50 million people during the plague.

Family Members During the Plague

Abandoned their children as if they were strangers if they fell ill.

Social Actions During the Plague

People avoided others with symptoms, and community activities became dangerous.

Market Places

Suffered because people avoided crowded areas during the plague.

Unharvested Crops

Resulted from people avoiding work

Black Death

A pandemic that struck Europe, causing significant social, economic, and demographic changes.

Trade during Black Death

Suffered due to fear of crowded areas and potential exposure to the disease.

Jobs & Black Death

Were impacted as many people died or avoided work due to the plague.

Income & Black Death

Decreased because of fewer people willing to work.

Fleas

A carrier of the black death.

Social Impact

The Black Death caused a societal upheaval.

Economic Impact

The Black Death caused major trade changes.

Demographic Impact

The Black Death caused major population changes.