The Bubonic Plague The Bubonic Plague (Black Death)(Black Death)

The Renaissance (Rebirth) period saw The Renaissance (Rebirth) period saw severe changes in the population severe changes in the population that altered the economy of Europe.that altered the economy of Europe.

Beginning in 1315, Europe Beginning in 1315, Europe experienced a series of famines. experienced a series of famines.

Then from Then from 13471347 to 1348 the spread of to 1348 the spread of bubonic plaguebubonic plague (Black Death) (Black Death) brought a steep population decline, brought a steep population decline, mostly in Western Europe.mostly in Western Europe.

Black DeathBlack Death Worst natural disaster in European Worst natural disaster in European

history.history. Killed Killed 1/31/3 of population of population Spread by rat borne fleas introduced Spread by rat borne fleas introduced

by ships arriving in by ships arriving in SicilySicily from Black from Black Sea ports.Sea ports.

It took It took 200200 years for Europe’s years for Europe’s population reach its previous levels.population reach its previous levels.

According to a traditional story, the plague came to According to a traditional story, the plague came to Europe from the town of Caffa, a port on the Black Sea Europe from the town of Caffa, a port on the Black Sea where Italian merchants from Genoa maintained a where Italian merchants from Genoa maintained a thriving trade center. thriving trade center.

The people of the Crimea were dying from a plague. The people of the Crimea were dying from a plague. Believing it was a foreign disease brought to their Believing it was a foreign disease brought to their shores by Italian merchants, the people of the East shores by Italian merchants, the people of the East retaliated with the only sufficiently available weapon retaliated with the only sufficiently available weapon at hand — the decaying corpses of plague victims.at hand — the decaying corpses of plague victims.

They used huge catapults to lob the infected corpses of They used huge catapults to lob the infected corpses of plague victims over the walls of Caffa. The rotting plague victims over the walls of Caffa. The rotting corpses littered the streets, and the plague quickly corpses littered the streets, and the plague quickly spread throughout the city. spread throughout the city.

The Genoese decided they must flee; they boarded their The Genoese decided they must flee; they boarded their ships and set sail for Italy, carrying rats, fleas, and the ships and set sail for Italy, carrying rats, fleas, and the Black Death with them." Black Death with them."

Culprit: Oriental Rat Culprit: Oriental Rat Flea Flea

How was the Black Death How was the Black Death transmitted?transmitted?

The three forms of the Black Death The three forms of the Black Death were transmitted two ways. The were transmitted two ways. The bubonic plague was transmitted with bubonic plague was transmitted with direct contact with a flea.direct contact with a flea.

The pneumonic plague was The pneumonic plague was transmitted through airborne transmitted through airborne droplets of saliva coughed up by droplets of saliva coughed up by bubonic infected humans. bubonic infected humans.

If the plague had just stayed in one city, the containment might have spared Europe. Unfortunately, the plague spread when people fled to other cities.

Complete these sentencesComplete these sentences

1. The Black Death is a nickname for the (bubonic, 1. The Black Death is a nickname for the (bubonic, pneumonic) plague.pneumonic) plague.

2. The disease hit Europe around (1347, 1450).2. The disease hit Europe around (1347, 1450).3. About (one-fifth, one-third) of the population died 3. About (one-fifth, one-third) of the population died

as a result the disease, the worst natural disaster as a result the disease, the worst natural disaster in European history.in European history.

4. It may have been introduced in (Sicily, Lisbon) by 4. It may have been introduced in (Sicily, Lisbon) by fleas carried on rats.fleas carried on rats.

5. Only (50, 200) years later, Europe’s population was 5. Only (50, 200) years later, Europe’s population was restored.restored.

6. About (10 million, 25 million) people died in 6. About (10 million, 25 million) people died in Europe from the Black Plague.Europe from the Black Plague.