Transcript The Black Death

Chapter 15, Section 5, page 553
What was the Black Death?
The Black Death was an
outbreak of disease in
the 14th century that
killed millions of people
and had a lasting impact
on Medieval Europe.
Mass Burial, Plague, Belgium
1349. Unknown artist.
The Likely Culprit
Most historians agree
that the Black Death was
an outbreak of bubonic
plague.
Bubonic plague is
caused by a bacterium
called Yersinia pestis.
It is transmitted to
humans when they are
bitten by an infected flea.
Right: Yersinia pestis. (Photo courtesy
of National Geographic)
Above: Black rat. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)
Above: Male Xenopsylla cheopis (oriental rat flea)
engorged with blood. (Photo courtesy of the CDC)
How the Plague is Transmitted
Flea drinks rat blood
that carries the
bacteria.
Bacteria
multiply in
flea’s gut.
Human is infected!
Yersinia pestis, the plague
bacteria. (Photo courtesy of
the CDC)
Flea bites human and
regurgitates blood
into human wound.
Flea’s gut clogged
with bacteria.
Plague Varieties
Plague presents in
different ways.
The disease can develop
into other forms of plague,
such as pneumonic
plague, which can be
transferred from person to
person.
"Dance of Death" (1493) by Michael Wolgemut
What does the plague do?
Present-Day Cases of the Plague
Swollen lymph glands termed "buboes" caused by plague
bacteria. (Photo courtesy of the CDC)
A buboe forming on the neck. (Photo courtesy the CDC)
Outbreaks of bubonic plague are rare today
thanks to modern antibiotics. They are most
common in poorer parts of the world.
Ulcerated flea bite caused by Yersinia pestis. (Photo
courtesy of the CDC)
Images of septicemic plague (left) and pneumonic plague
(right). (Photo courtesy of the CDC)
The Path of the Black Death
Tracking the time frame for the
spread of the plague across
Europe helps to strengthen
scientists’ and historians’
arguments for the origins of the
Black Death.
Question: How might the map
to the left help strengthen the
accepted theory the plague
infested rats helped cause the
Black Death?
Answer: The path plague
follows is the general path of
trade, moving north from the
Mediterranean Sea.
Reasons for the Black Death’s Success
Living conditions in medieval cities and towns were
usually unhealthy.
Medieval Europeans did not have a high premium
on personal hygiene.
Knowledge of effective medical techniques was
minimal.
“I think I stepped in something…”
Cities were very unhealthy
places to live.
 Waste was often dumped into the streets
or at best open sewers.
 Animals often roamed the streets freely.
 Blood from butcher shops, dye from
cloth makers, and other contaminates
ran into the streets and eventually to the
rivers.
 Garbage was thrown into the streets with
no plan for pick up.
 Cities were often overpopulated.
Crosses signified that urination was banned, but that
didn’t always stop people. (Photo courtesy of the BBC)
“What do you mean ‘I stink’? I’ll have you know, I
bathed last month!”
 Personal hygiene and general
practices of good health were
not up to the our standards
today, but people in the Middle
Ages did understand that being
clean was a good thing.
 Baths were taken 5 – 10 times
per year.
 Clothes were washed every
month or so.
 Diets were often poor.
“Need a shave? How about a major medical
operation? I can do both!”
 Medical expertise was lacking
during the Middle Ages.
 People in the Middle Ages often
had superstitious remedies.
 There was no knowledge of
germs.
 Commonly accepted practices,
such as bloodletting, were
usually more harmful than
helpful.
A barber-surgeon at work. (Photo courtesy of the
Interuniversity Library of Medicine - Paris)
Response to the Plague
Once the Black Death
broke out, it was
unstoppable, killing
around 38,000,000
people.
Priests and doctors
were dumbfounded as
to how to stop it.
The medieval equivalent of a biohazard suit – a
doctor’s robes.
Response to the Plague
 Doctors often gave
poor advice such as
warning against naps
in the daytime, or
even bathing.
 Priests taught that the
Black Death was a
punishment from God.
Response to the Plague
Some people went so
far as to whip
themselves repeatedly
in order to try and
appease God and end
the plague.
Response to the Plague
 Death became a constant companion to people in the Middle Ages.
Their attitude and feeling of helplessness became evident in art and
culture.
Response to the Plague
Conditions were horrible.
Entire city districts were
shut off due to
outbreaks. Some towns
were completely
abandoned as people
died or left to find refuge
in the country.
A picture of monks carting off the dead. The clergy was hit
especially hard during the plague.
Impact of the Plague
The Black Death did have
at least one positive
impact on Europe.
Because there were
fewer people to do work,
peasants gained more
leverage against nobles,
and could demand more
money or privileges.
A Troubled Continent – page 557
• The Hundred Years War (1337 – 1453)
– England vs. France
– Edward III of England declared himself
king of France
– major battles at Crecy, Agincourt, and
Orleans
– Joan of Arc
• peasant girl who claimed the saints told her
to lead the French; some successes
• captured and executed
– French eventually win in 1453
• outcomes: strong French government, English
civil war
Spain and Portugal Fight the Muslims –
page 558
• Reconquista – struggle by Christians to retake
the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslims
– Ferdinand and Isabella
– Inquisition
– Muslim and Jewish expulsion