Conquer It

Read the source below about the Black Death. Pay attention to the process that spread the Black Death and the impacts of the Black Death.

During the Medieval era plagues often spread throughout regions and the world. One of the deadliest and most destructive plagues was the Black Death, which killed as much as one-third of Europe’s population in the 1340s and 1350s. This form of the plague most likely started in East Asia and spread along trade routes into the Middle East and Europe. The plague started as all other diseases in the world – an infected person became sick and quickly died. Since conditions in China were unsanitary, rats fed on trash, food scraps and even the bodies of those infected by the plague. The infected rats were then transported with goods and packages along trade routes to markets in towns and villages. Fleas that lived off the blood of rats and other animals became infected with the plague. As the rats arrived in new locations, the fleas would bite and infect other animals, including people.

a color-coded map indicating the spatial distribution of plague outbreaks over time along the major European sea and land trade routes. This map shows the spread of the Black Death in Europe.
Image credit: Andy85719 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

By the mid-1300s, long-distance trade had been revived between China and the Middle East and Europe. The rats and fleas moved from village to village, town to town, and city to city, spreading the plague. People did not know the plague was spread by coughing and sneezing, and some even came into close contact with infected bodies during treatment of burial ceremonies. People called this particular plague the “Black Death” since victims developed dark wounds or bumps on their skin. As more people died, society was weakened. Workers, merchants and farmers were removed from the population, and many areas were deserted and unlivable.

a painting showing a group of people carrying coffins
This painting shows the citizens of Tournai, Belgium, burying plague victims.
Image credit: Unknown author via Wikimedia Commons.

Incredibly, there were some positive impacts of the Black Death. While many people died, generations of people also developed stronger immunities to the plague. Also, survivors were left with more opportunities in their societies. Fewer workers meant that peasants and farmers in the lower classes could demand higher pay and social status. The death of government officials and other wealthier members weakened feudal society and helped the lower classes challenge divisions in society.

Identify the process involved in the spread and impacts of the Black Death by matching the description to the appropriate step, or complete the alternative multiple choice activity. (This alternative activity is provided for students using keyboard only or screen readers.)