What was there now a shortage of?

The Black Plague	Causes:		Solutions?		Effects:
		 	Plague Doctors	 	What was there now a shortage of?
		 	Blame the Jews	 	What happened to feudalism? Why?
		 	Flagellants	 	How did people feel about Christianity?

The Black Plague	Causes:		Solutions?		Effects:
		 	Plague Doctors	 	What was there now a shortage of?
		 	Blame the Jews	 	What happened to feudalism? Why?
		 	Flagellants	 	How did people feel about Christianity?

When all was said and done, the plague had killed nearly 100 million people in Europe during the 14^th century, and reduced the total population by about 30 percent. Farms and entire villages died out or were abandoned as the few survivors decided not to stick around. When Norwegian sailors finally visited Greenland again in the early 15th century, they found only wild cattle roaming through deserted villages.

The economy was probably hit the hardest of all the aspects of Europe. The biggest problem was that valuable artisan skills disappeared when large numbers of the working class died. Therefore, those who had skills became even more valuable than the rich people. It is common to see surviving documents advertising for specialists in towns across Europe, often offering high wages. The labor shortage was very severe, so wages rose for the workers who were still alive and increased the standard of living all across Europe.

The societal structure began to change, giving the poor more say. The peasants and artisans demanded higher wages. Serfs seeking liberation from farming their Lord's land were told to return to their master's duties. With no one to enforce these decrees - (knights had been dying, too!) - serfs began to leave their land and not engage in the planting of crops. Feudalism began to collapse.

Feudalism was not the only institution to suffer because of the Black Plague. During the Middle Ages it was essential that people be given the “last rites” - (a Catholic ceremony to be administered just before death) - and have the chance to confess their sins before they died. The spread of the deadly plague in England was swift and the death rate was almost 50% in isolated populations such as monasteries. There were not enough clergy to offer the last rites or give support and help to the victims. The situation was so bad that Pope Clement VI was forced to grant forgiveness of sins to all who died of the Black Death. The church could offer no reason for the deadly disease and their beliefs were tested. After 200 years of battling unsuccessfully for the holy land, this had such a devastating effect that people started to question their religion. This, in turn, would later lead to groups breaking off from the Catholic Church, greatly reducing its power.

Lasting effects of the Black Plague

When all was said and done, the plague had killed nearly 100 million people in Europe during the 14^th century, and reduced the total population by about 30 percent. Farms and entire villages died out or were abandoned as the few survivors decided not to stick around. When Norwegian sailors finally visited Greenland again in the early 15th century, they found only wild cattle roaming through deserted villages.

The economy was probably hit the hardest of all the aspects of Europe. The biggest problem was that valuable artisan skills disappeared when large numbers of the working class died. Therefore, those who had skills became even more valuable than the rich people. It is common to see surviving documents advertising for specialists in towns across Europe, often offering high wages. The labor shortage was very severe, so wages rose for the workers who were still alive and increased the standard of living all across Europe.

The societal structure began to change, giving the poor more say. The peasants and artisans demanded higher wages. Serfs seeking liberation from farming their Lord's land were told to return to their master's duties. With no one to enforce these decrees - (knights had been dying, too!) - serfs began to leave their land and not engage in the planting of crops. Feudalism began to collapse.