THE BLACK DEATH “In five years over 25 million people were dead…”
Origins h Carried by fleas on rodents g When the host dies the flea jumps and infects the new host h Squirrels, prairie dogs, marmots and black rat h Marco Polo observed the tarabagan h Trade routes between the east and west brought the disease h Carried by fleas on rodents g When the host dies the flea jumps and infects the new host h Squirrels, prairie dogs, marmots and black rat h Marco Polo observed the tarabagan h Trade routes between the east and west brought the disease
Introduction to Europe h Trade of silk and spices via horse- drawn carts h Virus/flea can exist without a host for 6 weeks h Poor sanitation in European cities produced large rat population h Trade of silk and spices via horse- drawn carts h Virus/flea can exist without a host for 6 weeks h Poor sanitation in European cities produced large rat population
Symptoms 1. Vomit, nauseous, coughing 2. Dark Blotches on skin 3. High Fever 4. Coughing blood 5. Burning chest 6. vomiting 1. Vomit, nauseous, coughing 2. Dark Blotches on skin 3. High Fever 4. Coughing blood 5. Burning chest 6. vomiting
What was left… h 1/3 of Europe’s population eliminated h 25 million people between h Europe was able to regain momentum h 1/3 of Europe’s population eliminated h 25 million people between h Europe was able to regain momentum
Effects h Many priests, nuns, and doctors died trying to help the poor and sick h Parents abandoned children h Thieves robbed corpses or broke into houses. h People believed it was a punishment from God h Many priests, nuns, and doctors died trying to help the poor and sick h Parents abandoned children h Thieves robbed corpses or broke into houses. h People believed it was a punishment from God
What About Feudalism? h It had already declined from trading h There weren’t enough workers to sustain this system h It had already declined from trading h There weren’t enough workers to sustain this system