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The Troubled Fourteenth Century
In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:
Bubonic Plague
“Black Death”
Effects of the Plague
Demand for Labor
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During the 1300s,
Western Europeexperienceda series ofhardships.
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Hardships
• During the 1300s, Western Europe experienced a series of hardships.
• Workers had little money and the cost of food was high.
• Hunger and starvation increased as food prices rose.
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In 1348, a plague hit Western Europe.
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The Bubonic Plague
• A plague is a disease that causes high mortality.
• The Bubonic Plague was carried by infected fleas on rats. Infected fleas bit humans and transmitted the disease.
• People called this plague the “Black Death”.
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The disease made blackspots on
people’s skin.infected people
died withina few days.
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Merchants and travelers spread thedisease.
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One-third of Western Europe’s populationdied.
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The Effects of the Plague
• Between 1348 and 1400, one-third of Western Europe’s population died.
• With fewer people left alive, there were fewer people to work and pay taxes.
• The price of food dropped as supply was greater than demand.
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The Plague originated in Asia.
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Serfs Demanded Change• With fewer workers and workers in greater
demand, serfs demanded better treatment and change.
• It is important to remember that a serf was a peasant bound to his lord’s land.
• Serfs were not free to leave the lord’s land. However, now that workers were in great demand, serfs began to seek ways to improve their status.
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The devastation of the plaguechanged Western Europe.
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The loss of life and the subsequentimpact on the economy greatly altered life in Western Europe.
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Questions for Reflection:
• Where did the Bubonic Plague originate and how did it enter Western Europe?
• Why was the Bubonic Plague referred to as the “Black Death”?
• What were two significant effects of the Bubonic Plague?
• How did the loss of life impact workers’ wages?
