The Black Plague and the Rise of Town

The Black Plague and the Rise of Town and Cities Aim: What impact did the Black Plague have on Europe?

Bubonic Plague “The Black Death” - very contagious, incurable disease which was spread by the bite of a flea living on an infected rat. n n Caused “black” bruising, swelling then death First large outbreak was early 1300’s in China in crowded cities.

Plague Cont. n n n Became an “epidemic” or an outbreak that spreads quickly and affects a large number of people. Increased trading helped the plague to spread overseas, from the East to the Middle East, North Africa, Italy, Spain and France. Are there any modern day examples similar to the Black Death?

Effects of the Black Death n n n Decrease in population – 1/3 of Europe’s population was killed. As many as 7, 000 died a day in one city alone. Economic decrease – the few workers left alive were in high demand, and insisted on higher wages. Prices of good increased, Merchants took action but the peasants revolted. Trade slowed and hurt many cities Social and Political Change – Peasant revolts weakened the power of Lords and Feudalism. Paved the way for Monarchies.

Effects Con’t. n n Chaos – people questioned their religious beliefs and turned to witchcraft for help. Jews were blamed for starting the plague by poisoning water supplies, and were slaughtered as a result of people’s frustrations

Black Death Interactive Map Spread of Plague n What can we determine about the connection between the spread of the plague, and trade routes, from looking at this map?

The Rise of Cities and Towns n n Commercial Revolution Between 1000 -1300 trade expanded, towns and cities grew, a new middle class was born

Guilds n n An organization that looks out for the well being of all workers within a specific field or trade. Ex. A banker’s Guild would help stabilize the lives and jobs of all bankers who belonged to it. Provided social services for it’s members and their families, regulated wages and hours, established apprentices teach new workers particular skills. What is another organization that protects the rights of workers today, similar to a guild?

Social Changes n Further declined Feudalism, as farmers and serfs paid their Lords with money rather than performing services.