Black Death

The Black Death 1347-1500 CE Initial Situation Originates in wild rodents (rats) which go to human settlements and kill people 1300 active in central Asia 1345: reach S. Russia—affect cities Mongals Mongols: nomadic, control lots of territory, convert to Islam, conquer Baghdad, 1258 split into 4 small kingdoms after ruler Chingiz Khan Black Sea gets black death Many Italian traders argue with Muslim Mongols and get attacked..kicked out—see refuge Mongols besize Italians—army has plague but still fight and attack—infecting the Italians Many traders go back to Italy and bring the black death to Europe Disease: Epidemiology Bubonic Plague Infected fleas transport to where humans are present OR flea feces gets into cuts Grow fast, least toxic, only 50-60% death rate Pnenomic Plague Infection spreads to lungs, infect others lungs if directly cough Spreads quicker, death faster Coughing, difficulty breathing, few days until death Explains how death happens in winter Dogs, cats and bird die, but seem to build up a resistance Septicaemic Plague Bacteria spread thru bloodstream Transmit thru human flea See no effect before death Arrival In Europe Sailors reach Genoa and venice, with plague “death enters thru the windows” airborne Spread north England 1/3 of pop dead Vary by region, some villages completely gone, but some spared (Bohemia) Devastating loss: 25-50% of pop dead (19-38 million) Interpretation Plague act of God punishing man for sins Scare people into rependence: see publie acts of penance, pilgrimage, mass (actually spread disease faster) Innocent kids died—if dead, then they couldn’t sin Apocalypse began: warfare Astrology: deals with heavens and planets being in line Scientific interpretation: problem with the air- stagnant water, dirty smelly air, surround self with aromatics so wont get sick Reactions Party Enjoy the time left here, inevitable to get it Lots of drinking and sex Escape Available to the rich Pogrom Kill other people Jews blamed mostly and killed/tortured until commit to have posioined water Jews targeted and Pilgrams and Lepreds also singled out Consequences 1348 Flagellant Movement Only harsh lifestyle will demand people live Attack Jews and clergy Pope Clement condemned them and killing of the Jews Situation that could be exploited Prevention Urine wheel: drs match up colors Avoid over indulgences, baths, anything to open pores, no sex, limit fruit Treatment Let blood out of appropriate part of body Dr. become unpopular Return of Plague 1361, 1369—reoccurs ~ every 5-6 years until end of 15th century Develop some immunity over time, doctors gain more respect again Kids are hardest hit Long Term Consequences Population decrease by millions If survive econ conditions improve for most (peasant) bc labor price goes up, shortage to labor Aristocratic income falls (20% in England) Minorialism weaken Long distance trade declined Social upheaval Peasant revolts: demand better pay Urban upheaval Mentality of Europeans: people more accepting of violence Doubts Mod plague—not disease of kids Pneumonic plague doesn’t explain well