HIST_1101_black_death

HIST 1101 Week 13: From the Plague to Recovery

Transition to a Unified World

• Question from last week: Key motivations for global unification by the 11th century.

Mongol Expansion

Rapid Expansion

• Under Ögedei Khan (1229-1241), the Mongol Empire expanded significantly.

• Territories included:

  • Central Asia, Russia, Georgia, Armenia.

  • Destroyed Jin dynasty of North China, controlled northern China by 1234.

  • Advanced into Persia's eastern regions and as far west as Poland (1242).

Geographic Extent by 1259

• Illustrated map shows extensive Mongol territories, emphasizing military campaigns from Mongolia through Europe.

Punishment of God

• Genghis Khan's declaration to city leaders:

  • Claimed his conquests were a divine punishment for their sins.

Factors Leading to Mongol Expansion

• Ecological Factors:

  • Climate change (1180-1220) reduced grass growth, threatening pastoral life.

• Trade Disruptions:

  • Efforts by Jin and Xia dynasties to limit trade incited Mongol raids and invasions.

• Chinggis Khan's Mission:

  • Driven by personal and shamanic beliefs.

Speed of Mongol Expansion

• Adoption of effective strategies similar to Roman practices, incorporating conquered groups.

• Weaknesses in Asia allowed for rapid conquests.

• Military Advancements:

  • Use of superior horses and bows, along with an advanced messaging system (Yam).

Mongol Contributions

• Cultural and infrastructural contributions during Mongol rule over China:

  • Kublai Khan's support led to a golden age in painting and theater during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

  • Improvements in medicine and astronomy, enhancements to the Grand Canal, and establishment of capital cities.

  • The Mongol Empire enhanced interactions between Europe and Asia.

The Black Death: Great Pandemic

• Origin and Spread:

  • Occurred in the 14th century, linked to the Yersinia pestis bacterium.

  • Reached Europe via trade routes by 1347, having originated in Inner Asia.

• Devastation:

  • Mortality rates between 25-65% of affected populations.

Plague Transmission

• Allegations of deliberate plague spreading through infected corpses during battles, especially noted in the Battle of Caffa.

Historical Impacts of the Plague

Questioning Origins

• Discussions on the plague’s emergence related to climate issues in China and famine.

• State chronicles recounting droughts and famine contributing to vulnerability.

Countermeasures

• Establishment of a 40-day quarantine by health authorities in northern Italy in response to the pandemic.

Societal Changes Post-Plague

• Dramatic decline in population leading to:

  • Labor shortages and empowered workers.

  • Redistribution of wealth as power shifted from nobility to commoners.

• Challenge to Church Authority:

  • High mortality among clergy caused a crisis of faith and a decline in church authority.

Feudal System Transformation

• Emergence of secular authority over religious institutions post-plague.

• Shift from a self-sufficient economy to a market-driven economy, leading to cultural and economic shifts seen in the Renaissance.

Rise of the Turkish Empire

• Impact of the Black Death and Mongol conquests on Byzantine and Arabic empires.

• Byzantine Empire weakened further, contributing to its fall in 1453.

Ottoman Expansion

• Ottoman Turks capitalized on the weakening surrounding empires in the late 13th century.

• By the mid-14th century, they expanded significantly, becoming dominant in the eastern Mediterranean.

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Post-Mongol Rule

• Fall of the Yuan dynasty led to the rise of the Ming Dynasty, emphasizing internal agricultural markets and minimizing foreign trade reliance.

• Centralization of power and refinement of civil service exams established accountability in governance.

Ming Achievements

• Great Wall:

  • Constructed as a defense against steppe nomads but limited in actual protective capabilities.

• Zheng He's Voyages:

  • Expanded maritime power and global trade dominance from 1405 to 1433.

Conclusion: Rediscovering China's Position

• Underlined a shift in global perception, reestablishing China’s prominence in international relations.