What Political Effect Did The Black Death Have On The Middle Ages

Words: 1490
Pages: 6

The Black Death, a deadly bacteria that inflicts many terrible symptoms, kills one to two-thirds of Europe’s population within five years, greatly affecting the country’s people, society, and advancements. The Black death affects the people of Europe. It also alters Europe medically, socially, and in terms of advancements. People change because of dire circumstances. The plague is known for its strong impact on the economy, social structure and government, and medical knowledge during medieval times in Europe, as well as giving peasants the opportunity to become the middle class.
Undoubtedly, the Black Plague is fatal and has ways of spreading at a rapid pace. According to research, the Black Death can kill a victim within five days of contracting
…show more content…
Research illustrates the government’s transformation due to the death of so many people and ineffective government actions (What Political Effect Did the Black Death Have on the Middle Ages?). The death of many important officials leads to lack of rule throughout Europe. Most infected people of higher rank hide away until their deaths. As a result, there is a shift in power and small rulers gain more power and create nation states (What Political Effect Did the Black Death Have on the Middle Ages?). Studies conducted on this topic reveal that the government puts controls on certain goods in an attempt to slow the spread of the Black Death. However, most government actions throughout Europe prove to be ineffective. According to research, the economy in Europe inflates greatly because of the Bubonic Plague (Social and Economic Effects of the Plague). The amount of ill and deceased people leads to a labor shortage. In turn, the price of food items and goods dramatically increases (Social and Economic Effects of the Plague). The rise of prices causes extreme inflation in Europe’s economy. Inflation leads to peasant’s wages increasing in order to lure more into work (Social and Economic Effects of the Plague). Furthermore, society drastically changes in similar ways to the economy. Studies suggest that because peasants begin being paid more for work, they soon become unattached from their …show more content…
2017.
“How the Black Death Came to an End.” Accessed 23 Mar. 1 2017.
Inglis-Arkell, Esther. “How the Black Death Advanced Medical Science, With Help
From the Pope.” io9, io9.Gizmodo.com, 17 July 2015, io9.gizmodo.com/how-the-black-death-advanced-medical-science-with-help-1718448184Accessed 23 Mar. 2017.
Lusted, Marcia Amidon. “World Checkup.” Cobblestone, vol. 38, no. 2, 1 Sept. 2010, p. 40.
Mason, Emma. “Your 60-Second Guide to the Black Death.” History Extra, BBC History, 19 Nov. 2014, www.historyextra.com/feature/your-60-second-guide-facts-black-death-how-when-why. Accessed 23 Mar. 2017.
Pruitt, Sarah. “Medieval ‘Black Death’ Was Airborne, Scientists Say.” History.com, A&E
Television Networks, 1 Apr. 2014, www.history.com/news/medieval-black-death-was-airborne-scientists-say.
Accessed 23 Mar. 2017.
Saunders, Jen. “What Political Effect Did the Black Death Have on the Middle Ages?” Synonym,
Synonym, 28 Aug. 2013, classroom.synonym.com/political-effect-did-black-death-middle-ages-5440.html.
Accessed 23 Mar. 2017.
Shively, Ann, and Jim Shively. “A Change Born Of Death.” Calliope, vol. 24, no. 8, 1 May
2014, p. 24.
Trueman, Chris N. “The Black Death of 1348 to 1350.” History Learning Site, History