The Black Death
The Black Death was one of the deadliest plagues Europe has ever endured, wiping out one-third of Europe’s entire population in three years. This catastrophic event has led to numerous unanswered questions that have formulated over the recent years. The ultimate questionable one is, to what extent did the Black Death change medieval Europe. Recent studies have shown, not only did the Black Death change Europe, it reshaped the world.
Shock was the main reaction people had when the plague suddenly arose. Many panicked and hid from the outside world as countless others fell into the sickness. This dramatic turn of events created an atmosphere of fear, depression and hopelessness (Gunnell, 2012). Galan states, due to this hundreds of fields were abandoned and the harvests were left to rot. Because of this, the prices of agricultural products greatly increased in price, making people’s lives worse than they were …show more content…
Soon after the Black Death, the way society worked changed completely (Tangient LLC, 2011). Before, the European society was organized by the Feudal system; a system of service in return for land. The downfall of the system not only meant that the lower classes of society could change social positions, but it also jump-started the Merchant class (Whipps, 2008). Soon after the Black Death, most settlements moved back to more productive and fertile land as there was a lower demand for land and produce (Galan, 2013). This made room for livestock and more efficient farming. From this, not only did the lives of the rich improve as the year went on, the lives of the lower classes also did (Galan, 2013). Livestock made animal protein cheaper and widely available. This improved the lives of labourers as they could enjoy a balanced diet like the nobles. Events that occurred after the plague has changed Europe to an extent that it could not be
The Black Death was one of the deadliest plagues Europe has ever endured, wiping out one-third of Europe’s entire population in three years. This catastrophic event has led to numerous unanswered questions that have formulated over the recent years. The ultimate questionable one is, to what extent did the Black Death change medieval Europe. Recent studies have shown, not only did the Black Death change Europe, it reshaped the world.
Shock was the main reaction people had when the plague suddenly arose. Many panicked and hid from the outside world as countless others fell into the sickness. This dramatic turn of events created an atmosphere of fear, depression and hopelessness (Gunnell, 2012). Galan states, due to this hundreds of fields were abandoned and the harvests were left to rot. Because of this, the prices of agricultural products greatly increased in price, making people’s lives worse than they were …show more content…
Soon after the Black Death, the way society worked changed completely (Tangient LLC, 2011). Before, the European society was organized by the Feudal system; a system of service in return for land. The downfall of the system not only meant that the lower classes of society could change social positions, but it also jump-started the Merchant class (Whipps, 2008). Soon after the Black Death, most settlements moved back to more productive and fertile land as there was a lower demand for land and produce (Galan, 2013). This made room for livestock and more efficient farming. From this, not only did the lives of the rich improve as the year went on, the lives of the lower classes also did (Galan, 2013). Livestock made animal protein cheaper and widely available. This improved the lives of labourers as they could enjoy a balanced diet like the nobles. Events that occurred after the plague has changed Europe to an extent that it could not be