Chapter 1

Textbook- The Western Heritage (Kagan Textbook)

The Black Death

A devastating pandemic that occurred from 1346 to 1353, resulting in the death of approximately ⅖ of Europe's population.

Preconditions of the Plague

Factors such as overpopulation and malnutrition that contributed to the spread of the Black Death.

3-field system

An agricultural practice that increased arable land and food supply, contributing to population growth before the plague.

Crop failures (1315-1317)

A period of significant famine in Europe that weakened the population and made it more vulnerable to the plague.

Bubonic plague

The disease that caused the Black Death, transmitted through fleas on rats, originating from the Black Sea area.

Giovanni Boccaccio

An author who recorded societal reactions to the plague in his work "The Decameron."

Flagellants

Religious fanatics who believed self-punishment would bring divine help during the plague, often spreading the disease themselves.

Pogroms

Organized riots against Jews, often incited by flagellants, blaming them for the plague.

Yersinia pestis

The bacterium responsible for causing the bubonic plague.

Economic consequences

The Black Death led to a high depopulation, decreased labor supply, and a decline in the value of noble estates.

Peasants Revolt (1381)

A response to oppressive legislation and increased taxes on the peasantry in England.

Statute of Laborers (1351)

Legislation that forced peasants to remain on farms and froze wages at low levels after the plague.

Cities Rebound

Urban areas and skilled industries prospered post-plague, leading to increased demand for goods and services.

Hundred Years’ War

A conflict between England and France (1337-1453) that was influenced by the political and social changes following the Black Death.

Joan of Arc

A peasant girl who became a national heroine of France, leading to significant victories during the Hundred Years’ War.

The Great Schism (1378-1417)

A division in the Catholic Church where multiple popes claimed authority, leading to a crisis of legitimacy.

John Wycliffe

An English theologian who criticized the Church and advocated for reform, including the translation of the Bible into vernacular.

Hussites

Followers of John Huss in Bohemia who sought religious reform and challenged the authority of the Church.

Conciliar Movement

A movement aimed at reforming the Church through councils, asserting that church councils held authority over the pope.

Mongol Rule (1243-1480)

The period during which the Mongol Empire controlled Russia, significantly impacting its political and cultural development.