Mr. Mike Castañón

Ms. Susan M. Pojer

• The Black Death was one of the worst natural disasters in history. In 1347, a great plague swept over Europe and ravaged cities causing widespread hysteria and death. One-third of the population of Europe died. The primary culprits in transmitting this disease were Oriental Rat Fleas carried on the back of black rats.

Frederick F. Cartwright, DISEASE AND HISTORY, Dorset Press, New York, 1991, p. 42.

The Famine of The Famine of 1315-13171315-1317 By 1300 Europeans were farming

almost all the land they could cultivate. A population crisis developed. Climate changes in Europe produced

three years of crop failures between 1315-17 because of excessive rain.

As many as 15% of the peasants in some English villages died.

One consequence ofstarvation & povertywas susceptibility todisease.

CausesCauses Bubonic Plague Overcrowding in cities and homes Poor sanitation in cities Widespread malnutrition led to poor health Poor hygiene

How was the Black Death How was the Black Death transmitted?transmitted?

•  The three forms of the Black Death were transmitted two ways. The septicemic and bubonic plague were transmitted with direct contact with a flea, while the pneumonic plague was transmitted through airborne droplets of saliva coughed up by bubonic or septicemic infected humans. Each different form of plague killed people in a vicious way. All forms were caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis

The CulpritsThe Culprits

Yersinia pestis

The Disease The Disease CycleCycle

Flea drinks rat blood that carries the

bacteria.

Flea drinks rat blood that carries the

bacteria.

Flea’s gut cloggedwith bacteria.

Flea’s gut cloggedwith bacteria.

Bacteriamultiply inflea’s gut.

Bacteriamultiply inflea’s gut.

Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound.

Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound.

Human is infected!Human is infected!

The The SymptomsSymptoms

Bulbous

 The bubonic plague was the most commonly seen form of the Black Death. The mortality rate was 30-75%. The symptoms were enlarged and inflamed lymph nodes (around arm pits, neck and groin). The term 'bubonic' refers to the characteristic bubo or enlarged lymphatic gland. Victims were subject to headaches, nausea, aching joints, fever of 101-105 degrees, vomiting, and a general feeling of illness. Symptoms took from 1-7 days to appear.

• The pneumonic plague was the second most commonly seen form of the Black Death. The mortality rate for the pneumonic plague was 90-95% (if treated today the mortality rate would be 5-10%). The pneumonic plague infected the lungs. Symptoms included slimy sputum tinted with blood. Sputum is saliva mixed with mucus exerted from the respiratory system. As the disease progressed, the sputum became free flowing and bright red. Symptoms took 1-7 days to appear.

Septicemic Form:

almost 100% mortality rate.

The septicemic plague was the most rare form of all. The mortality was close to 100% (even today there is no treatment). Symptoms were a high fever and skin turning deep shades of purple due to DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation). The black death got its name from the deep purple, almost black discoloration." Victims usually died the same day symptoms appeared. In some cities, as many as 800 people died every day.

1347: Plague moves 1347: Plague moves WestWest

• It is believed the plague originated in Asia, and moved west with Mongol armies and traders.

• According to a traditional story, the plague came to Europe from the town of Caffa, a Crimean port on the Black Sea where Italian merchants from Genoa maintained a thriving trade center.

• The plague traveled on trade routes and caravans. Its path of death was generally from south to north and east to west passing through Italy, France, England, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland, and eventually reaching Greenland

The Plague spreads across Europe: The Plague spreads across Europe: 1347-13511347-1351

What were the efforts to stop What were the efforts to stop the plague?the plague?

• Although the government had medical workers try to prevent the plague, the plague persisted. Most medical workers quit and journeyed away because they feared getting the plague themselves.

Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlague

A Doctor’s Robe

“Leeching”

Lancing a BuboeLancing a Buboe

The Church’s effortsThe Church’s efforts•  One of the groups that suffered the most was

the Christian church. It lost prestige, spiritual authority, and leadership over the people. How? The church promised cures, treatment, and an explanation for the plague. They said it was God's will, but the reason for this awful punishment was unknown. People wanted answers, but the priests and bishops didn't have any. Some clergy abandoned their Christian duties and fled. People prayed to God and begged for forgiveness. After the plague, ended angry and frustrated villagers started to revolt against the church. The survivors were also enraged at doctors, who didn't cure patients, but said they could.

Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlague

Flagellanti:Self-inflicted “penance” for their sins!

Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlaguePograms against the Jews

Jews are burned alive

“Golden Circle” obligatory badge

The Plague affects the The Plague affects the EconomyEconomy

 The economy was probably hit the hardest of all the aspects of Europe. The biggest problem was that valuable artisan skills disappeared when large numbers of the working class died. Therefore, those who had skills became even more valuable than the rich people. The society structure began to change giving formally poor laborers more say.

• The peasants and artisans demanded higher wages. Serfs seeking liberation from tilling their lord's land were told by decree and statue to return to their master's duties. The poor people saw so much death they wanted to enjoy life. Serfs began to leave their land and not engage in the planting of crops. Unattended crops and stray animals died of starvation because of the lack of care. Several domesticated animals began to roam the forest. Farming communities became rare. The lack of sufficient law enforcement personnel promoted lawlessness. Some individuals pillaged homes, murdering and assaulting others. The horror of the Black Death had taken on a new victim, the economy.

The Plague affects Art & The Plague affects Art & MusicMusic•  People's attitudes towards art and

music changed as they began to see the depression surrounding them. The horrific nature of the Black Death was reflected in the realistic depictions of human suffering and carnage as well as the symbolic use of the skeleton.

• The only exceptions were people who decided that since they were going to die anyway, they might as well spend the rest of their life in happiness.

Medieval Art & the Medieval Art & the PlaguePlague

An obsession with death.

The Danse The Danse MacabreMacabre

“The victims ate lunch with their

friends and dinner with their

ancestors.”The Decameron by Boccaccio

The Triumph of Death The Triumph of Death Brueghel “the Elder”

ResultsResultsLarge numbers of people died- 1/3 of populationEconomy declines in townsSerfdom ended in most of Western Europe- peasant revolts increasedField enclosure began for better agricultural productionBest of the clergy died helping the sickJews were blamed and prosecuted for the plagueLiterature and art reflected pessimismA positive: less workers = higher wages

The Mortality Rate

30% - 60% of Europe’s Population

over 25,000,000 dead!

What were the political,

economic, and social effects

of the Black Death??