The Black Death of the Middle Ages The Bubonic Plague LEQ: How did the combination of plague, upheaval in the Church, and war affect Europe in the 1300s and 1400s?
Dec 14, 2015
The Black Death of the Middle AgesThe Bubonic Plague
LEQ: How did the combination of plague, upheaval in the Church, and war affect Europe
in the 1300s and 1400s?
Setting the Stage*• Europe in the 1300s -1400s experienced
famine, disease, and war. • Marked the end of the Middle Ages and
start of the early modern age.
Overcrowding and Disease*• Medieval towns and cities were
extremely crowded.• The lack of sanitation was a breeding
ground for disease.
The Plague Arrives*• It came from Mongolia, spread to the
Middle East, then…• Arrived in Europe through trade ships. • It spread quickly. • It wiped out 1/3 of Europe’s population
in 4 years (1347 -1351). • Killed Approx. 25 million people.• The plague killed 50% - 75% of its
victims.
What did people think caused the plague?
• People didn’t know what caused the plague.
• Some believed it was:oA punishment from God.o Jews had poisoned wells. oBad air.oThe position of the planets.
What Really Caused the Plague?*
• It was spread by fleas which lived on the black rat.
• The fleas sucked the rat’s blood which contained the plague germs.
• When the rat died, the fleas jumped on to humans and passed on the disease.
• Most common form of the Black Death was the BUBONIC PLAGUE!
Three Types
• Pneumonic Plague attacked the lungs.
• Destroyed the breathing system
• Could be caught if someone breathed on you.
• Had less than 3 days
• Bubonic Plague attacked lymph nodes and caused large swellings
• To catch you had to be bitten by a flea that had already bitten a black rat.
• Had less than 5 days.
• Septicemic Plague attacked the bloodstream
• To catch you had to be bitten by a flea that had already bitten a black rat.
• Kills faster than bubonic plague
Boccaccio in The Decameron
The victims ate lunch with their
friends and dinner with their ancestors.
Stop and Think: What does this mean?
Medieval Response
• There was no cure. • Many tried to flee the area where
the plague struck. This helped to spread it.
• Many interesting “cures” and attempts to prevent the plague were developed.