The Black Death: The Greatest Catastrophe Ever Essay Example

10-14 days (Benedictow 43). Since the rats are dead, the rat fleas have no option but to locate another host, thus, turning on human beings since they are the closest. The insect bite results in the swelling of a bubo. Apart from the groin and thigh, the swelling could also appear on the victim’s neck as well as the armpit. After the incubation period, which usually takes three to five days, most of the victims start dying after another three to five days (Benedictow 43). Although it was initially claimed that Black Death originated from China, these claims were refuted after new research revealed that the plague was first reported in the Steppe region during the 1346 spring (Benedictow 44). The disease spread to other regions of Europe through the ship rats. Although most of the ship rats would die of the plague, the fleas survived throughout the journey before eventually finding new rat hosts in regions where the ship docked.

Effects of the Black Death

During the 14th century, most Europeans relied heavily on agriculture. Hence, due to the rate at which the European citizens were perishing, soon there was a shortage of labor. Although the labor shortage was a loss for most landowners, it was a reprieve for the residents that had survived the plague. Before the plague, laborers received low wages. However, due to the sudden shortage of labor throughout Europe, landlords were forced to raise the wages to retain their workers (Routt). In a move to attract more laborers, landlords competed against each other by making the working conditions much better and attractive. This competition was beneficial to the Europeans that worked as

laborers. In addition to high wages, the workers also enjoyed better working as well as living conditions. Initially, lords took advantage of Europe’s high population to lower the employee salaries. Apart from the low wages, the cost of living was also high since the lords increased the price of vital commodities as well as rent. The Black Death also resulted in the decline of religion. Although the death of millions may have prompted the decline, the survivors of the plague also ceased having faith in worship. Studies show that most Europeans stopped having faith in their religion because their prayers to avert the plague were never answered (“Brown University”).

End of the Black Death

Quarantine was the most common method applied by the Europeans who were striving to curb the plague before it swept the entire continent. Studies show that most people remained indoors and only left their houses when it was necessary. Staying indoors allowed people to avoid contact with infected people as well as coming into contact with rats and fleas (“Gale Group”). Secondly, citizens were also urged to maintain hygiene. It is evident that the plague resulted due to poor health conditions among some European citizens; this is because rodents are usually found in regions that are not clean. To ensure that the plague does not spread any further, people started observing hygiene. For example, they observed both personal and environmental hygiene by ensuring that their habitats are clean. By cleaning the environment, the citizens managed to keep away rodents and fleas thus reducing the rate of infection. The plague was also curbed after the reduction of travel and migration among the Europeans (“Gale

Group”). Too much traveling increased the cases of infection. Initially, many people were migrating to new regions for safety. However, the migration declined after it was revealed that people migrating from the infected areas were spreading the disease since they were moving with the rat fleas. This is because unlike the human fleas, the rat fleas would ride with their hosts through their clothes other portable household items.

Conclusion

The Black Death is a disease that resulted in the death of tens of millions of European citizens during the 14th century. According to research conducted, the disease was caused by a bacterium that is found in rodents. This implies that the plague was initially a rodent disease. However, the bacterium was transferred from the rats into human beings through rat fleas in search of new hosts. A bite of the flea would transfer the bacterium into one's blood stream, thus, contracting the plague. The plague spread to other European regions through the ship rats. The bubonic catastrophe resulted in the shortage of laborers throughout Europe. Therefore, landlords were forced to devise new ways to attract laborers to work on their farms. For example, apart from wage increase, most peasants also enjoyed good living condition. Before the plague, the cost of living was high for the peasants since apart from low wages, rent as well as the cost of essential commodities was high. The survivors of the Black Death also ceased having faith in religion, this was because they believed that their prayers were never answered. To curb the plague, people avoided contact with infected people by remaining indoors. Additionally, they maintained personal and environmental hygiene in a

move to keep off rodents and fleas. A reduction in traveling and migration also prevented further spreading of the plague.

Work Cited

1. "How the Black Death Came to an End." Gale Student Resources in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Student Resources in Context. Web. 1 May 2016. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?zid=11d616917c0a0f5ee6b8ca9018471361=2==GALE%7CEJ21815 00192=clov94514=1276d8bbb5aa3ac8e1818f0d2be323d1
2. Benedictow, Ole J. "The Black Death." History Today 55.3 (2005): 42-49. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 May 2016.
3. Brown University. “Social and Economic Effects of the Plague.” Decameron Web. 2010. Web. 1st May 2016. http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/plague/effects/social.php
4. DeWitte, Sharon N. "Mortality Risk And Survival In The Aftermath Of The Medieval Black Death." Plos ONE 9.5 (2014): 1-8. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 May 2016.
5. Lerner, Robert E. "Fleas: Some Scratchy Issues Concerning The Black Death." Journal Of The Historical Society 8.2 (2008): 205-228. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 May 2016.
6. Routt, David. “The Economic Impact of the Black Death.” Economic History Association. n.d. web. 1st May 2016. https://eh.net/encyclopedia/the-economic-impact-of-the-black-death/