Transcript Slide A: The Black Death

Slide A: The Black Death
• What was the Black
Death?
– A deadly plague that
spread across Europe from
1346-1352.
– Caused by bacteria and
spread by black rats and
fleas.
– 3 forms:
• Pneumonic - lungs; death
in a matter of days
• Septicemic - attacked the
bloodstream
• Bubonic - bubbles on the
body
Why couldn’t people stop the Black
Death?
• People were ignorant
about its cause; they
blamed the stars,
God, and the Jews.
• They tried ineffective
cures such as
pomanders,
flagellation, and
repentance of sins.
How did the Black Death change
life in Europe?
• Killed one-third of the
population.
• Forced farmers to
diversify their crops.
• Reduced the power of
the feudal lords.
• People move to cities
to earn better wages.
• Peasants demanded
more freedom.
How did the Black Death spread
throughout Europe?
• Originated in Mongolia
and spread to the Black
Sea along the Silk Road.
• Bacteria carried from
fleas who lived on black
rats.
• Italian merchant ships
brought rats to Europe
along with trade goods.
• First appears in Sicily
then spreads.