Black Death | AP Euro

Why was Europe vulnerable to the Black Death?

Due to overpopulation, economic depressions, famines, and bad health, Europe’s population had significantly weakened.

How did the Black Death travel to Europe?

Plague infested fleas & rats from the Black Sea traveled through the Asian trade route to Europe, planting the plague in western Europe then throughout southern Europe.

How did the plague affect a patient’s body?

A person’s lungs, blackened a person’s skin, and made them very sick.

What were some remedies to combat the plague?

• “Green measures” rooms & city spaces was fumigated by herbs & smoke.

• People would wash themselves with scented (herb) waters.

Farms Decline

As laborers decreased, wages increased. With agricultural prices falling and luxury goods rising, noble landholders declined in power.

Peasant Revolt

• In1353, English Parliament passed a statue of laborers, limiting wages to pre-plague levels and restricting them from leaving their owner’s land.

• In France, direct taxation on the peasantry increased.

Cities Rebound

With luxury goods being in demand compared to agricultural goods, many people from the countryside moved to the city in hopes of earning more money. Resulting in wealth pouring into the cities and per capita income rose.

Flagellents

Religious fanatics would beat themselves publicly, believing it would bring divine help. However, this was very disruptive and threatening to the Church that they outlawed such processions.

Guild Conflict

Guilds were gaining more political power, calling for restrictive legislation to protect local industries. This angered master artisans, as they wanted to expand their industries at their own slow pace.