The Black Death was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, killing an estimated 25 to 50 million people in Europe from October 1347 to 1351, nearly a third of the continent’s population. The disease, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, was spread through fleas on rats, which thrived in Europe’s crowded, unsanitary cities. The pandemic originated in Central Asia and spread along trade routes, reaching Europe via Italian merchant ships. The outbreak led to severe labor shortages, economic disruptions, and widespread social unrest.
The massive death toll destabilized the feudal system, as surviving peasants demanded higher wages and better working conditions. The church’s inability to stop the plague weakened its authority, contributing to later religious upheavals such as the Protestant Reformation. Some communities turned to extreme measures, including persecution of minority groups like Jews, whom they falsely blamed for the plague. The Black Death ultimately reshaped European society, accelerating the transition from feudalism to early capitalism and prompting new approaches to medicine and public health.
How long has it been since the end of the Black Death?
3 months,
0 days,
9h : 15m : 41s
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