1. The Black Plague
Focus Question: How did the Black Plague effect life during the Late Middle Ages?
Bell Work: Grab a handout!
Homework: None!
Middle Ages Test Friday April 5th
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Agenda
Black Plague Video
Black Plague Simulation
Notes/ Plague/Commercial Rev
SAQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. The Black Plague https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZztM38_nsKA
What caused the spread of the Black Plague?
Where did the Black Plague start?
How were Jews affected by the Black Plague?
Describe the effects of the Black Plague in Europe.

3. Plague Simulation You will be traveling in groups to four cities!
Rome, Paris, Barcelona, and London.
At each city, there will be an envelope. You will draw a card out of the envelope which will determine your fate!
If you draw a skull with cross bones, you must go to the graveyard!
If you draw a life card, you get to travel to the next city!
Throughout the activity, think about the following questions:
How did you feel when you caught the plague? If you did not catch it, how did it feel to be spared?
How did it feel that your fate was almost predetermined?
How might people treat visitors to their town during an outbreak of the plague?

4. Bubonic Plague
“The Black Death” - very contagious, incurable disease which was spread by the bite of a flea living on an infected rat.
Caused “black” bruising, swelling then death
First large outbreak was early 1300’s in China in crowded cities.

5. Plague Cont.
Became an “epidemic” or an outbreak that spreads quickly and affects a large number of people.
Increased trading helped the plague to spread overseas, from the East to the Middle East, North Africa, Italy, Spain and France.
Are there any modern day examples similar to the Black Death?

8. Effects of the Black Death
Decrease in population – 1/3 of Europe’s population was killed. As many as 7,000 died a day in one city alone.
Economic decrease – the few workers left alive were in high demand, and insisted on higher wages. Prices of good increased, Merchants took action but the peasants revolted. Trade slowed and hurt many cities
Social and Political Change – Peasant revolts weakened the power of Lords and Feudalism. Paved the way for Monarchies.

9. Effects Con’t.
Chaos – people questioned their religious beliefs and turned to witchcraft for help.
Jews were blamed for starting the plague by poisoning water supplies, and were slaughtered as a result of people’s frustrations

10. The Rise of Cities and Towns
Commercial Revolution
Between trade expanded, towns and cities grew, a new middle class was born

11. Guilds
An organization that looks out for the well being of all workers within a specific field or trade.
Ex. A banker’s Guild would help stabilize the lives and jobs of all bankers who belonged to it.
Provided social services for it’s members and their families, regulated wages and hours, established apprentices teach new workers particular skills.
What is another organization that protects the rights of workers today, similar to a guild?

12. Social Changes
Further declined Feudalism, as farmers and serfs paid their Lords with money rather than performing services.

13. Closing Discussion
How did the Black Plague affect Europe?