1. The Plague

2. “This is the end of the World” 50 million dead in Europe 1/3 of the total population Higher death rate in some places Ships with everyone dead No one to bury the dead, no last rites Fields left unharvested Prisons and monasteries devastated

4. What caused the plague? Bacterium Pasurella Pestis From fleas to rats to humans Once infected, humans spread it through contagion

6. Buboes

7. How Did It Spread? May have started in Central Asia 13 million Chinese died in 1330s Spread along caravan routes Carried on ships from the Black Sea Entered Europe through ports

9. How did people explain it? No clue about fleas, although they knew rats died at the time of plague No clue about contagion or sanitation Caused by humors (bad smells) Astrological explanations Wrath of God Cats – many killed Jews – many killed

10. Burning of the Jews in Cologne Jews shown in alliance with Satan

11. Doctors Doctor with spices and flowers in his mask to protect him from the germs

12. Effects of the Plague on Europe Labor shortages –Peasants demanded more rights and better pay Loss of serfs undermined feudalism Church lost prestige –Why hadn’t religion helped? Feudal Lords and the Church lost power Kings gained power

13. Woodcuts