Premium Essay

Black Death In The 14th Century

Submitted By
Words 385
Pages 2
The most deadly pandemic ever recorded killed 50-75 million people in the 14th century. It is known as the Black Death or Black Plague. This is caused by a bacteria carried by rodents that live close to people. This disease killed 60 percent of Europe’s population from 1346 through 1353. The Black Death had not started in Europe, it came from rodents and there was a good side to the Black Death.

It is believed the Black Death started in China or Russia. The disease was brought on trade ships to Europe. With increased population in Europe and improved methods of trade, the epidemic spread quickly. It spread all throughout Europe, to Northern Africa, the Middle East and by 1349 to England. Because of tiny populations and few

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Bubonic Plague In The 14th Century Essay

...Ring around the Rosy During the 14th century our world experienced one of the most lethal pandemics in the history of the human existence. In the span of just five short years the Bubonic Plague managed to kill nearly one-third of Europe’s population, leaving very little answers and unclear causes to such a horrendous and aggressive plague. The most common result of the Bubonic Plague was death, killing more than eighty percent of infected individuals (Benedictow 2005). Living in a time with very little medical experience and scientific understanding, the Bubonic Plague and the middle 14th century was a recipe for disaster. The Bubonic Plague; now known to be caused by Yersinia pestis of the Bacillus species, was a devastating plague in the 14th century. The concept of a pneumatically- transmitted bacteria seemed to baffle the minds of the medieval people, leaving victims to question God and their own sanity. In untreated circumstances, the mortality rate of the Bubonic plague is more than of 50%, while in treated cases the mortality rate is under 15% (The Plague 2014). Since the lack of medical knowledge in this time, typically medical treatment could make the patient more susceptible to infection and even more susceptible to the Bubonic Plague’s more...

Words: 524 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Black Death

...Ashleigh Hamilton The Black Death A catastrophic event that changed the way medical science would function thereafter was the Black Death or the Bubonic Plague that hit Asia and Europe back in the 14th Century. At the Sicilian Port of Messina, back in 1350, a ship arrived after going through a tedious journey in the Black Sea. The ship brought with it some dead and some ailing sailors, inflicted by a strange disease that had caused black boils on their skins which were pus filled and oozed blood out, giving the mysterious illness the name of the Black Death. Spread by a germ called YersinaPestis, the Black Death was a disease that spread from one person to another through the air, through water droplets or moisture or by the bite and infestation of rodents such as rats. Rats were thought to be the main carriers of the disease as they had travelled by ship and had supposedly contaminated the food the sailors had on the ship,or they suffered from rat bites. The disease was spread in Europe shortly after it hit the coasts of Messina, making its way through Italy, France as these pests were commonly found there. By the mid of the 14th century, the Black Death was rampant in Paris, London and other adjoining parts of the country. The biggest crisis of the time was the lack of knowledge and understanding about how the disease got transmitted from one person to another. Moreover, there was no idea in Europe about how the disease could be cured or prevented, and there...

Words: 1417 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

The Disaturous 14th Century

...September 30, 2012 The Disastrous 14th Century He Disastrous 14th century There are many factors that affected the state of 14th century Europe Ironically some of the same reasons that ultimately contributed to the down fall were the reason that Europe was so prosperous in the 12th and 13th century. Increased sanitary conditions which contributed to increase health, more people survived and lived longer; thus creating many cities and towns that were over populated. Europe also had a very bustling trade route that began getting out of control and becoming very dangerous. Also, with the Pope relocating to France the church had lost it’s tax revenue, The church began charging there members fees for services which led the mebers to lose respect for the clergy and began seeing them as materialistic and greedy. Death and decay were all around with Europe on slot of the Bubonic Plague All these issues created an Economic and emotional state that at that time contributed to Europe’s downturn. As the 14th century progressed the state of Europe ripe for crisis was affected even more by the plague. As people began dying it also began to show how ineffective churches role in handling the people grief in the time of such devastation. These turned out to be 3 major factors that contributed to the Disastrous state of the 14th century. The Black Death or the Bubonic plague started in China during the 14th Century. China being one of the busiest trading Ports...

Words: 833 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Causes Of The Black Death Plague

...Back in the 14th century many plagues have long before spread through Europe and were very drastic, but all of those plagues combined was even more fatal and horrendous, this mix was known as the Black Death. The year 1346 was the start of this horrible disease, but how did this all start and what really happened to many Europeans during that time? The plague spread from Cairo to Paris, little was known about medicine and treatments for it. Since at the time, it seemed untreatable it spread like a wild fire. The cause of this was found in a bacterial strain that was found on stomach of fleas, which contributed the disease to rodents, especially the black rat. The flies go from host to host when the host dies, thus was making it possible for...

Words: 416 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Bubonic Plague And The Silk Road

...well as swollen and painful lymph nodes, these swollen and painful lymph nodes tend to occur in areas closest to where the bacteria was able to break into the skin. Certain mass trade routes such as the Silk Road, which millions of people crossed that were from different places carrying different bacterias, helped lead to the quick and deadly spread of the Black Death. The Silk Road came to be because silk at that time was very valuable because of its multiple purposes, thus allowing to become a very valuable trading item. Traders during this time period were able to make fortunes carrying silk from the east to the western parts of the Silk Road. Because of this consistent trading for silk that occurred on this trade route its name eventually became the Silk Road, even though many other valuable trading goods were also carried along this route. The Silk Road because of how consistent the...

Words: 540 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Bubonic Plague Research Paper

...The Black Death is a form of bubonic plague that spread over Europe in the 14th century and killed an estimated quarter of the population (Black Death). This form of bubonic plague was very dangerous to the people in that specific time period. Bubonic plague is classified as a serious, sometimes fatal, infection with the bacterial toxin Yersinia pestis, transmitted by fleas from infected rodents (Bubonic Plague). Early in the 1340s, the disease had struck China, India, Persia, Syria and Egypt (History). China, India, and etc. were very crucial trading locations for Eastern Europe in the 1300s. Since the disease is carried by rodents, it is said that the disease got to Europe from the rodents that boarded the ships headed from Asia. The rodents had fleas which, in the ultimate ending, infected the humans. If the victim was not bitten by a flea, another way to obtain the disease was by being sneezed or coughed on by someone who was already infected. Plague causes fever and a painful swelling of the lymph glands called buboes, which is how it gets its name. The bubo would become inflamed and would at first be a deep red in color, but as...

Words: 744 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Bubonic Plague

...its knees in the 6th century. This is the first ever documented record of bubonic plague in human history. But the fact that bubonic plague continues to afflict human population even today is a matter of concern. Your bubonic plague research paper would revolve around the premise of it being a deadly disease, but we assure you that we won’t scare you by the facts. Bubonic plague is typically differentiated from other infections because of its roots in the bacteria, Yersinia pestis or Pastuerella pestis. The bacteria typically infects the spleen, lungs, kidneys and brain. It is spread by virtue of rats and fleas. The staff at ProfEssays.com could as Help with Bubonic Plague Research Paperwell spell out some of its symptoms as shivering chills staggering gait stuttered speech memory loss weakness The early symptoms lead to graver consequences, and the ultimate zenith is reached when the patient ultimately breaths his last. Several deaths were caused by bubonic plague in the 14th century when medical science wasn’t developed as it is today. A nursing and healthcare term paper could focus on the facilities provided to modern healthcare officials that were not available in the 14th century. It killed almost 30 per cent of the contemporary European population. Infection is spread through fleas and rodents. It is a common occurrence to have rodents whenever there are earthquakes or other such calamities. The disease was known as the Black Death. A death essay customised to...

Words: 1154 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Enguerrand And The Black Death Summary

...Through following the life of a male member of the 2nd Estate, Enguerrand de Coucy VII (1340-1397), Tuchman first seeks to find the effects on society due to the Black Death, but expands her understanding to other plagues and perils post-Black Death (xiii). The 600-plus page text does so much more than just merely show the effects of the Black Death on European society, it demonstrates the effects of the Crusades, and provides insight into the lifestyle of a typical noble of the 14th century. Tuchman realizes the shortcomings about writing an intimate piece from the Middle Ages and owns up to them early on by addressing how the narrative can be “hard to read,” and there are always “conflicting facts (xvi-xvii).” With a text this size, there are a going to be multiple themes. One of the most apparent themes is loyalty. Enguerrand becomes a man of two nations: England and France. Born in France, Enguerrand becomes an English Hostage in 1389, and through this imprisonment (if it can really be referred to as such), Enguerrand becomes the son-in-law to the King of England (185, 192). In order to keep his loyalty to both nations, Enguerrand, decides to fight for the Pope in Italy, rather than sacrifice his neutrality (248). His loyalty is rewarded by both nations. When he finally chooses to side with France, his loyalty is rewarded...

Words: 1530 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Disease in the News

...Bubonic Plague Article Joanna Hull HCS/245 August 7, 2012 Lavinia Goto Bubonic Plague In the mid-14th century in Europe, there was a deadly disease that spread like wild fire killing millions of people who came in contact with it. The disease is called the bubonic plague also known as the Black Death and it affects the lymphatic system causing your lymph nodes to swell. People do not usually spread bubonic plague from person to person. Small rodents, such as rat, mice, and squirrels, carry the infection. Fleas that live on these animals act as “vectors” and carry the infection from the rodent to humans (“Bubonic Plague,”2010). It is said to have originated from China and later spread to Europe and then Russia killing millions. This happened over thousands of years ago, but still happens today worldwide just not as bad as it was in the 14th century. According to the World Health Organization, there are 1,000 to 3,000 cases of bubonic plague worldwide each year. A man from Oregon was very unfortunate to have come in contact with this infection and this is his terrifying story about him fighting for survival. Paul Gaylord, 59, was in his home in Prineville, Oregon enjoying a beautiful summer day when he saw that his cat had a rodent in its mouth. Paul tried to grab the rodent out of his cat’s mouth and while trying to do this; his cat scratched and bit him in the process. Paul went to his doctor to get some antibiotics to prevent him...

Words: 680 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Ambrogio Lorenzetti

...The Allegory of Good Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti is one of the very few secular pieces of artwork from the 14th century Italy. It’s secular nature makes for a compelling analysis alone; however, it also reveals great political, cultural and social progressions of 14th century Siena. I argue that Lorenzetti’s Allegory of Good Government was a profound, and perhaps even revolutionary, piece considering the time and the subject matter of his fresco. I will begin by providing a detailed description and analysis of the fresco in its entirety and an examination of Ambrogio’s artistic style used in the fresco. The Allegory of Good Government is located in Palazzo Pubblica in Siena and is one piece of a series frescoes depicting the good and bad government in the city and country of Siena. The foreground of the painting depicts the citizens of Siena and above them on a stage you can see figures that each represent aspects of good government. This fresco in particular is strategically placed on the wall that catches the most light in the Palazzo Pubblica personifying the concept of good government. It consists of three panels depicting modern Siena under good government in both urban and rural settings. I will elaborate on specific characters in the painting, as well as heavy symbolism that reflect justice, power, wisdom and features of good government. Ambrogio employs a very naturalistic style to his work. The Allegory of Good Government is obviously set in Ambrogio’s modern...

Words: 790 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Ap Euro Assignment

...9/13/09 AP Assignment Number 2 3) The arrival of the Fourteenth Century brought tremendous and nearly inconceivable plague and famine. A gradual change in weather resulted in poor agricultural production, whose ultimate consequence was inadequate amounts of food for the people. Additionally, at this time in European history (late 13th, early 14th century) there had been a spike in population, so much so that Europe could not approach meeting people’s needs. Many people of this time moved from rural areas to urban cities in search of economic opportunity. Unfortunately, even in the cities economic opportunity was scarce and elusive resulting in vast penury. While many effects existed as a result of the famine, perhaps most paramount amongst them was plague. As previously mentioned, agricultural production was at record lows, and often, food scarcity is followed by malnutrition, which is then followed by disease. The Black Death as it would later be called, spread like wildfire throughout Europe sparing no one in its rancorous path. People, based on innate exigency, needed to find the source of the plague. Some groups such as the flagellant people believed G-d had sent the plague to condemn people’s sins, others who did not accept this approach needed a scapegoat. Their scapegoat was the ever so convenient Jews. During this time period economic uncertainty and social discontent was common. Labor shortages and limited demand for goods contributed to a declining economy, while...

Words: 670 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Old Hist

...| | | In the early fourteenth century, the Catholic church | | | | | Correct Answer: |  was moved to Avignon. | | | | | * Question 3 0 out of 1 points | | | Which of the following was not a fourteenth century explanation of the causes for the Black Death? | | | | | Correct Answer: |  Practice of flagellation | | | | | * Question 4 1 out of 1 points | | | In the Byzantine Empire, Latin language remained the major language as the use of Greek was narrowly restricted to monasteries. | | | | | Correct Answer: |  False | | | | | * Question 5 1 out of 1 points | | | In the eleventh century, the Byzantine emperor, Basil II, blinded fourteen thousand soldiers of the | | | | | Correct Answer: |  Bulgars. | | | | | * Question 6 1 out of 1 points | | | The Byzantine Empire attained its greatest economic prosperity during the period of the Macedonian emperors. | | | | | Correct Answer: |  True | | | | | * Question 7 1 out of 1 points | | | In the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade, the major state of the former Byzantine Empire was the | | | | | Correct Answer: |  Latin Empire of Constantinople. | | | | | * Question 8 1 out of 1 points | | | The Italian Renaissance was | | | | | Correct Answer: |  a, b and c | | | | | * Question 9 1 out of 1 points | | | The ideal of early fifteenth century Humanists was to | | | | |...

Words: 503 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Suply and Demand

...Labor Supply and Demand Darrell Scott Puehler XECO/212 April-13, 2012 Mathewos Kassa Historical Example of Labor Supply and Demand The Black Death was the largest demographic disaster in European history. Known as the "great pestilence," the Black Death arrived in Italy in late 1347 and made a clockwise movement across the continent where it eventually died out in the Russian hinterlands in 1353 (Routt, 2010) . It had a major impact on the demand and supplies of labor of the European economy especially the agricultural sector of the European job market. Because of the devastating effect of the Black Death, was not felt for a generation the supply for labor was plentiful due to the fact of the peasant population. If one peasant worker fell to his or her death during the onslaught of this pandemic disaster, then another was easily found to replace the lost worker. However, one generation later the effects of the Black Death on the labor market began to take shape. By the 14th century, the agricultural revolution and good climate had provided a high demand for land in England, which meant more workers were needed to farm this land thus, raising the demand for agricultural laborers (Peschke, 2007). However, the effects of the Black Death were finally realized. There was just too much land and not enough workers. The Black Death caused the supply of these workers to decrease and the resulting effect of the decrease in supply and the increase of demand due to the abundance...

Words: 313 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The Black Death

...Black Death I am going to be writing about the causes and the consequences of the Black Death in the 14th century. The Black Death lasted for about 3 years between 1348 and 1350. The Black Death was an incurable disease and over 20 million men, women and children had died across Europe. It was believed the sailors had brought the disease back from the black sea. The disease arrived in Italy from the east and the deadly disease was carried on the food. The disease was blisters were forming under the arms, faces, legs or any were warm on the body and the people died a week later. The disease started spreading country to country by trade routes these would have been fruits and vegetables, bakery and every day stalls in the towns and bleed. This had caused another outbreak of the disease in other areas of the country; they wanted to suffer the same as what Jesus did to appease God. The community believed that the disease was a punishment sent down by God himself. They prayed daily for recovery and a shield to protect them. As more and more people died from the disease people are starting to lose the belief in God. The community expected death if they got infected by the disease. No one communicated in the society in case they got infected by the deadly disease. So the community locked themselves away in their homes with all windows and doors locked, from those that were infected to stop the spread going...

Words: 259 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

History of the Black Death

...How the Black Death Affected the Modern World The Black Death is the worst plague that mankind has ever had to face, much worse than anything we face today. The mortality rate was astounding; whoever was unfortunate enough to become infected with the Black Death would die in a matter of days while suffering through a great deal of pain and agony (Snell). Its peak was around 1348-1353 in Europe, ranging from England all the way to Eastern Europe and beyond (The Black Death, 1348, 2001). The Black Death is thought to have started in China or central Asia, before spreading west. The plague then travelled along the Silk Road and reached the Crimea by 1347. From there, it was probably carried by Oriental rat fleas living on the black rats that were regular passengers on merchant ships. Spreading throughout the Mediterranean and Europe, the Black Death is estimated to have killed 30% to 60% of Europe's population. All in all, the plague reduced the world population from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million in the 14th century (Ibeji, 2011). The plague disease, generally thought to be caused by Yersinia pestis, is commonly present in populations of fleas carried by ground rodents, including marmots, in various areas including Central Asia, Kurdistan, Western Asia, Northern India and Uganda (Edmonds). Plague was reportedly first introduced to Europe at the trading city of Caffa in the Crimea in 1347 (Whipps, 2008). After a protracted siege, during which the Mongol...

Words: 1928 - Pages: 8