FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT New agr. tech’s (FC.63) Climate?

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Climate?

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACTNew agr. tech’s

(FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

What is the Black Death?

• Yersinia Pestis

What is the Black Death?

• Yersinia Pestis• Fleas on Rats• Bubonic vs. Pneumonic

Symptoms

• Weakness/Fatigue• Buboes• Black/Purple Spots• Cough Violently/Spit Blood• Die within 3-5 Days

Symptoms

• Weakness/Fatigue• Buboes• Black/Purple Spots• Cough Violently/Spit Blood• Die within 3-5 Days

Spread of the Black Death

• Worse in Cities

Spread of the Black Death• Worse in Cities• 1346-1350• Recurrences

Death Toll

• Why hard to tell?

Death Toll

• Why hard to tell?• Typical estimate:1/3 of population

Death Toll

• Why hard to tell?• Typical estimate:1/3 of population• Urban death toll

How did people react?

• Personal Accounts

     "Realizing what a deadly disaster had come to them the people quickly drove the Italians from their city. However, the disease remained, and soon death was every where. Fathers abandoned their sick sons. Lawyers refused to come and make out wills for the dying. Friars and nuns were left to care for the sick, and monasteries and convents were soon deserted, as they were stricken, too. Bodies were left in empty houses, and there was no one to give them a Christian burial."-Unknown

Personal Accounts of the Plague

 "How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, breakfast with their kinfolk and the same night supped with their ancestors in the next world! The condition of the people was pitiable to behold. They sickened by the thousands daily, and died unattended and without help. Many died in the open street, others dying in their houses, made it known by the stench of their rotting bodies. Consecrated churchyards did not suffice for the burial of the vast multitude of bodies, which were heaped by the hundreds in vast trenches, like goods in a ship’s hold and covered with a little earth." -Giovanni Boccaccio

Personal Accounts of the Plague

"Father abandoned child, wife husband, one brother another, for this plague seemed to strike through the breath & sight. And so they died. And no one could be found to bury the dead for money or friendship... And I, Agnolo di Tura, called the Fat, buried my five children with my own hands, and so did many others likewise.”—Agnola di Tura

How did people react?

• Personal Accounts• Explanations

How did people react?

• Personal Accounts• Explanations

– Strange Theories– (Flawed) notion of contagiousness– Most Popular: Punishment from God

How did people react?

• Personal Accounts• Popular Explanation: Punishment from God• Reactions:

How did people react?

• Personal Accounts• Popular Explanation: Punishment from God• Reactions:

– Strange Cures– Flee City– Quarantine– Scapegoats– Hedonism

How did people react?

• Personal Accounts• Popular Explanation: Punishment from God• Reactions• Religious Fervor

– “Traditional” – Flagellants

Such processions often included flagellants who whipped themselves to atone for society’s sins and avert the plague. Unfortunately, as such processions went from town to town, they also spread the plague, as seems to be happening in the picture to the left. Therefore, the Church to tried to ban them.

Psychological Impact

• Disturbing Fascination with Death– Paintings, Literature, Poetry

Psychological Impact

• Disturbing Fascination with Death– Paintings– Cadaver Tombs

“whoever you be who will pass by, I ask you to remember, You will be like me after you die, For all: horrible, dust, worms, vile flesh”

Psychological Impact

• Disturbing Fascination with Death– Paintings– Cadaver Tombs– Immediacy of Death

The obsession with death caused by the plague as seen in the Dance of Death

Dance of Death

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Totentanz_L%C3%BCbeckR.jpg

Dance of Death

Empress: I know, Death means me! I was never terrified so greatly! I thought he was not in his right mind, after all, I am young and also an empress. I thought I had a lot of power. I had not thought of him or that anybody could do something against me. Oh, let me live on, this I implore you

Death: Empress, highly presumptuous, I think, you have forgotten me. Fall in! It is now time. You thought I should let you off? No way! And were you ever so much, You must participate in this play, And you others, everybody—hold on! Follow me, Mr. Cardinal!

Dance of Death

Death to the Emperor: Emperor, your sword won't help you outSceptre and crown are worthless hereI've taken you by the handFor you must come to my dance

The Peasant Says: I had to work very much and very hardThe sweat was running down my skinI'd like to escape death nonethelessBut here I won't have any luck

Dance of Death

Wer war der Thor, wer der Weise[r], "Who was the fool, who the wise [man],Wer der Bettler oder Kaiser? who the beggar or the Emperor?Ob arm, ob reich, im Tode gleich. Whether rich or poor, [all are] equal in death."

Triumph of Death

Triumph of Death

In the Face of Catastrophe

Christ-Tho it be late ere thou mercie came: yet mercie thou shalt have.

Priest- Commit thy body to the grave: pray Christ they soul to save

Death-I have sought thee many a day: for to have thee to my pray

Psychological Impact

• Disturbing Fascination with Death• Dance of Death• Triumph of Death• In the Face of Catastrophe• Long-Term Impact: Religious Despair and

Religious Excitment

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

• Advantages for Peasants:

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

• Advantages for Peasants

• Powerful Push Back

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

• Advantages for Peasants

• Powerful Push Back

• Revolts

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

• Advantages for Peasants

• Powerful Push Back

• Revolts• Typical Pattern

The Jacquerie in 1358 was a spontaneous outburst of frustration by French peasants against the higher taxes that came from Plague & defeat in the Hundred Years War. Being spontaneous, as most peasant revolts were, the Jacquerie caught the nobles off guard and spread like “wildfire”” across the countryside. However such revolts were typically put down just as quickly. In this case, the turning point came when French knights returning from crusade encountered and massacred some rebels at the town of Meaux.

As with most peasant revolts, the Jacquerie ended in massacre when the untrained and now leaderless rebels quickly broke and ran at the first charge by the nobles’ cavalry. Punishment as always was swift and brutal. Often rebellious peasants were hanged, sometimes in their doorways as a warning to others who might be thinking about revolt.

The nobles treacherously murder Wat Tyler after luring him with a safe-conduct to parley

When Adam delved and Eve did span Who then was the gentleman?” -Piers Plowman

English Peasants (Wat Tyler) Rebellion

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Church abuses to raise cash: fees for any services, & sell

indulgences, dispensations, & Church offices

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Church abuses to raise cash: fees for any services, & sell

indulgences, dispensations, & Church offices

Growing public discontent over

Church corruption & failure to give comfort or relief

from plague

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Church abuses to raise cash: fees for any services, & sell

indulgences, dispensations, & Church offices

Growing public discontent over

Church corruption & failure to give comfort or relief

from plague

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Church challenged by kings, clergy, & popular heresies in

1300s & 1400s (FC.72)

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Church abuses to raise cash: fees for any services, & sell

indulgences, dispensations, & Church offices

Growing public discontent over

Church corruption & failure to give comfort or relief

from plague

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Church challenged by kings, clergy, & popular heresies in

1300s & 1400s (FC.72)

Nobles sell serfs their freedom &

land to get some quick cash In long run they lose future

tax revenues

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Church abuses to raise cash: fees for any services, & sell

indulgences, dispensations, & Church offices

Growing public discontent over

Church corruption & failure to give comfort or relief

from plague

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Church challenged by kings, clergy, & popular heresies in

1300s & 1400s (FC.72)

Nobles sell serfs their freedom &

land to get some quick cash In long run they lose future

tax revenues

Nobles decline while free peasants have incentive to work harder Agr.

& ec. revival in 1400s

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Church abuses to raise cash: fees for any services, & sell

indulgences, dispensations, & Church offices

Growing public discontent over

Church corruption & failure to give comfort or relief

from plague

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Church challenged by kings, clergy, & popular heresies in

1300s & 1400s (FC.72)

Nobles sell serfs their freedom &

land to get some quick cash In long run they lose future

tax revenues

Nobles decline while free peasants have incentive to work harder Agr.

& ec. revival in 1400s

New & broader consumer mkt.

Rise of capitalism & the decline of

guilds(FC.75)

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

FC.71 THE BLACK DEATH AND ITS IMPACT

Cities especially devastated, some losing

60-70% of their popul.

Labor shortages Workers demand higher wages & less restrictive

guild membership

Urban rev’s (e.g., in Florence, Mailloten &

Caboche rev’s in Paris)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Survivors inherit prop. & buy (now cheap) land Stand. of living

Kings & nobles try to keep peasants down &

raise taxes to cover loss of tax base from plague

Peasant revolts (e.g., Jacquerie in Fr. & Wat

Tyler revolt in England)

All put down after initial successes catch

authorities off guard

Tyrants & princes replace more

democratic communes in N. Italy & FlandersPolit. stability & $$ to

patronize arts

Nobles regroup & crush peasant revolts

w/savage brutality, but their reputations &

military prestige are seriously hurt

Church abuses to raise cash: fees for any services, & sell

indulgences, dispensations, & Church offices

Growing public discontent over

Church corruption & failure to give comfort or relief

from plague

Urban grain mkts wrecked Less demand Lower prices

Hurt Church & nobles dependant on land-

based econ. & selling grain for cash

Church challenged by kings, clergy, & popular heresies in

1300s & 1400s (FC.72)

Nobles sell serfs their freedom &

land to get some quick cash In long run they lose future

tax revenues

Nobles decline while free peasants have incentive to work harder Agr.

& ec. revival in 1400s

New & broader consumer mkt.

Rise of capitalism & the decline of

guilds(FC.75)

Black Death (c.1347-1450) reduces Western Europe’s population by 30-40%

New agr. tech’s (FC.63)

Pop. growth More demand for food &

fuel

Inflation & strain on environment

Expand agr. lands

Colder & wetter climate in 1300s

Black Death spreads from China along Silk Road kept open by Mongols

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Mongols conquer China & most of Eurasia (FC.57)

Wealth & more secular outlook Italian Renaissance strating in 1400s (FC.76)

Conclusion: Black Death as Emblematic of Late Middle Ages• Shortcomings of Focusing on Black Death• Why I did it…