Transcript Background of the Plague

Background of the Plague
 “Mini” Ice Age lowered global temperatures
around 1300, esp. in Europe
 Shorter growing seasons, lower agr. production
 Consequence was
starvation & poverty, along with susceptibility
to disease.
Origins of the Plague
• Starts in Yunnan region of SW China in the
early 1300s – known as the Plague Bacillus
• Infected rodents, probably had been around
in China for centuries
• In the 1330s, Mongol military campaigns
began spreading the plague from Yunnan to
more populated areas in the interior of
China
• Some areas of China saw 2/3 population
loss
Spread of the Plague
- 1340s: Mongols & merchants begin to
spread it west (trading cities, oasis towns
hit hard)
- Italian merchants acquired it at Black Sea
ports, brought to Europe in 1348
The Disease Cycle
Flea drinks rat blood
that carries the
bacteria.
Bacteria
multiply in
flea’s gut.
Human is infected!
Flea bites human and
regurgitates blood
into human wound.
Flea’s gut clogged
with bacteria.
The Symptoms
• Inflamed lymph nodes in the neck, armpit,
and groin areas (internal hemorrhages
turned areas a purple/black color)
• Killed 60-70% of infected victims
• Killed around 25 million in Europe, 4
million in SW Asia, and 35 million in China
The Symptoms
Bulbous
Septicemic Form:
almost 100%
mortality rate.
Effects of the Plague
• Economic Effects:
• City populations fall
• Trade decreases
Religious Effects of the Plague
• The Christian Church lost a lot of prestige
– Its prayers and penances failed to stop the
onslaught of the plague
– Many clergy deserted the Church or charged
high fees to perform services for the dying
(ex: Last Rights)
Social/Cultural Effects of the
Plague
• Art and literature reflected pessimistic view
of life & awareness of death
• Many survivors became obsessed with
“self-indulgences”
• “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow
you may die”