World History: Daily Life During the Black Plague

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Why was the Plague so devastating to Europe during the 1300’s?
During this time, knowledge of human biology was extremely limited. This is partially due to a papal bull issued by Pope Boniface VIII that forbid the dissection of corpses. 10
Italy was hit particularly hard as it was a major center of trade and many things went in and out it was very susceptible to the plague. 3 Italy was also the thriving, prosperous center of trade and culture, and was hit pretty hard, losing 65,000 citizens due to many people coming in and out of the city for trade. Each cities connections in trade caused the disease to be quickly yet unintentionally spread.
The plague caused a labor shortage because many people died. So, people started demanding higher wages (which was strongly opposed by the guilds and nobles). When higher prices are demanded, revolt was put in their mind. These set the government officials off and they were either killed or left. These actions completely devastated the feudal system. Vassal was no longer subjected to lord because the lords were no longer providing for the vassal, but running for their lives from the plague, or dying. “Kings and dukes now had to bargain with their laborers over working conditions, and the under-classes were able to demand better compensation for their services.” 7
After the plague in the city of Halesowen, “82% of the plague-vacated holdings were taken up by new tenants within the year.” For those young, new people, the plague gave rise to opportunities to fit into the privileged tenant class. “However, the recurring outbreaks of the plague reminded survivors that all earthly delights will inevitably come to an end. Images in churches functioned to remind people of their own perishability.”...

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...ily during the Black Death coexist with populations today which exhibit lower rates of mortality from AIDS.” This means that certain people would be able to resists these small plagues if derived from the larger one, making it possible to be less harmed by the real one itself if it were to occur again. 7

SOURCES/ IN-NOTES:

1. http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/osheim/pistoia.html
2. Daily Life During the Black Plague- Joseph P. Byrne
3.http://historymedren.about.com/od/theblackdeath/ig/Spread-of-the-Black-Death/msItalyBD.htm
4. http://discovermagazine.com/2001/nov/featblack
5. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/lect/med25.html
6. http://www.auburn.edu/chaucer/plaguebackground.htm
7. http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320Hist&Civ/chapters/06PLAGUE.htm
8. http://chnm.gmu.edu/cyh/teaching-modules/167?section=introduction
9. http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture30b.html

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