LoriLee Davis
10/20/2011
101-W1- Blog 3
Black Death
According to Hunt, Martin, Rozenwein and Smith (2010), the "Black Death" hit in a time that the population was already weakened due to the Great Famine that had ended about 25 years earlier. But despite this, many places still experienced small, localized, epidemics such as smallpox, influenza and tuberculosis. The "Black Death" refers to a disease that hit Europe during the years 1346 to 1353. The disease itself was a calamitous disease. Original, many called the black death a "pestilential disease." Typically, the symptoms of the disease were described as early death, outgrowing tumors, and ulcerations that bleed. Today, some historians say the plague was caused by "yersinia pestis," a type of bacteria. Eventually, the plague spread to people in the Middle east and to the coast of North Africa.
The work of Hunt, Martin, Rozenwein and Smith (2010), also says, the disease was spread by fleas. The fleas moved all over because they would travel on rats. Not only did the fleas invest the areas that they entered, but they also infected the goods on ships such as spices, silks, and porcelain. And thus, contaminating the items. The first outbreak was in 1347, in Caffa, a colony that resided on the near the Black sea. Within a year, it had traveled to Europe. It effected cities such as Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Marseille. Within six months, it had spread to Aragon, Italy, Balkan, and France. Eventually, it reached Germany, England and Scandinavia. It also had spread to Baghdad, North Africa, and al-Andalus.
The work of Hunt, Martin, Rozenwein and Smith (2010), also points out that what made the plague even worse is that it returned every ten to twelve years. However, the years 1346 to 1353 years the plague is referred to as the "Black Death." In any case, the plague proved to be devastating. In the city of Florence, it killed about of the residents. It is debated on the actually death toll but its estimated to be anywhere from one-third of the population to 60 percent.
According to Hunt, Martin, Rozenwein and Smith (2010), some places tried to used quarantine and church as a way to prevent the epidemic. They point out when the famine first reached Italy, the government forbid anyone living in Pistoia to go to outside cities. They also didn't allow anyone to enter the city. This was done in hopes of keeping it from being contaminated. They thought that the plague was carried in the air. They told the butchers and those who sold meat not to allow mud or feces in the shop. Other places said plague was a due to God punishing the citizens for their sins. As result, many people flocked to churches in hopes of repentance and ending the plague. Some in the religious community blamed the Jews for the Black Death. And this lead to violence against Jews. In Germany, thousands of Jews were killed. I would say the religious aspect played no role in helping to prevent the plague. If anything, it exposed people more to world and could have even helped to spread the plague. As for the cities that attempted to "quarantine," these attempts may have helped some, but it would still be exposed to the rats that traveled into the city or have contaminated food sources.
Hunt, Martin, Rozenwein and Smith (2010), also said that those that survived the epidemic had it better off. Due to the smaller population, farmers didn't need to plant and harvest as much. While wheat was popular before the plague, it became less popular afterwards. Instead, Barley became much more profitable. And products of animals remained profitable and some farms even switched to animal husbandry. This change in agriculture created a better standard of living and economy. Peasants and works were able to come to agreements with their landlords/bosses and were able to work under better conditions or with more pay. With more money, people were able to pay for a better diet. This diet would sometimes include beer and meat. Life changed in other ways as well. The rate of marriage increased dramatically. Due to the number of deaths, many professors and students died. In an effort to educate more people, new colleges and universities were built . The new educational facilities also allowed for people remain closer to home while getting an education.
Workcited
Hunt, Lynn, Martin, Thomas R., Rosenwein, Barbara H., and Smith, Bonnie G. (2010). The making of the West. Peoples and cultures. Concise Third Edition. Bedford/ St Martin’s: Boston, Massachusetts
