Black Death Dbq

The black death was a bubonic plague that wiped out a third of Europe’s population from 1347 to 1351. It was originally believed to have been caused by fleas on rats in Black Sea ships that traded with Europe from Central Asia’s steppes. However, recent studies using teeth models suggest this pandemic was primarily caused by human fleas from China and along the trade routes.

People have tried to combat the plague in many ways. Some believed flowers and herbs would ward off the bad air and therefore went about carrying bouquets with them. They lived their remaining life to the fullest and did pleasant things. On the other hand, others thought isolation was the best way to go and decided to cut themselves off from everyone, including their

friends and families. They ate the finest food and drank the best wine in order to avoid getting infected.
However, despite their efforts, many people died, especially those in the lower or middle classes. This is partly due to the fact that doctors were clueless as to the cause of the sudden outbreak and could not administer proper remedies. The dead overwhelmed the rotting cities and had no choice but to be buried in large trenches.
Although the black death claimed many lives and caused disruptions in trade and development, it had positive impacts that led to fairer rights in today’s societies.

Firstly, the black death improved women and peasants’ lifestyle. This helped establish a society that would soon develop into our current world.

One reason is because the black death caused a severe population decline. Due to the rising demand for workers, women were able to find jobs and work easily. It became possible for women to start their own business; historians acknowledge one woman who started out as a blacksmith.

Therefore, women gained more freedom in their lives. They could choose what job they wanted, and they could also choose who and when to marry. Consequently, women during the aftermath of the black death may actually have been happy and content with their lives.

Moreover, the high demand for jobs also resulted in a significantly higher wage than before for both genders. This meant peasants’ lifestyle was greatly enriched. Some bought or rented spare land that once belonged to a deceased owner. From their new land, peasants became richer and

richer.
In addition, not only did peasants owned or rented land, but their home life benefited dramatically. With their renewed wealth, they bought or rebuilt their homes, making it more grand and comfortable. They wore coloured clothes and ate more meat instead of bread. Coloured clothes and meat symbolised wealth in the Medieval Ages because only the rich could afford such expensive luxuries.
Furthermore, since there is less labour, some peasants were able to cut ties with their lord.

Others were able to negotiate with them and agree to pay him instead of working for him. The less fortunate ones remained as villeins and continued to work for his lord for forty days without pay each year. Although the Statute of Labourers in 1351 banned peasants from being payed more than he was before the black death, it can be argued that more and more peasants were attaining freedom after the plague. However, tension and anger arose within peasants after this new law was legislated. This contributed to the Peasants’ Revolt along with the levying of the poll tax in 1381. Although the uprising failed and disturbed Britain’s economy, it succeeded in preventing further levying of the poll tax because the rich realised they could not take advantage of the peasants too much. (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2017) (Bitesize,

2014)
In conclusion, the black death improved peasants’ and women’s lives. Their rights increased and their lifestyle enriched. Although the Peasants’ Revolt disturbed the British economy, it helped spread a fair democracy nowadays.

Finally, the black death caused a decline in trade and agriculture and disrupted nations’ development.
Due to the population decline caused by the black death, there were less traders and fear prompted some traders to stop trading. In the aftermath of the disaster, people were still scared the plague will return. Therefore, some decided to continue isolating themselves from societies and traders were no exception to this. Hence, traders were finding it difficult to trade as there were not many and this may have slowed nations’ development as lack of trade hindered new innovations from flourishing.