Origins
Where did the Black Death likely originate?
Central Asia
What is another name for the Black Death?
Another name for the Black Death is the Bubonic Plague.
Did people in the 1300s understand how the plague spread?
No, people did not understand how the plague spread because they didn’t know about germs or infections.
What did many people believe was the cause of the Black Death?
Many people believed the Black Death was a punishment from God for their sins.
Which system of land and labor weakened due to the Black Death?
The feudal system weakened because many peasants died, and survivors demanded better working conditions.
How did the Black Death reach Europe?
trading ships with rats and fleas
What is a “bubo”?
A bubo is a painful swelling in the neck, armpits, or groin, caused by the infection.
What did people carry to protect themselves from the plague?
People carried flowers, herbs, or spices to protect themselves from bad smells, which they thought caused the plague.
What role did the Church play during the Black Death?
The Church tried to help by praying for people, caring for the sick, and burying the dead.
Why did peasants gain more power after the Black Death?
With fewer workers available, peasants were able to demand higher wages and better living conditions.
Name the major trade route that helped spread the Black Death to Europe.
Silk Road
How quickly did most people die after showing symptoms?
Most people died within a few days after showing symptoms.
What type of doctor wore a long robe and a bird-like mask during the plague?
Plague doctors wore long robes and bird-like masks filled with herbs to avoid catching the disease.
What were the people called who whipped themselves in public to show they were sorry for their sins?
They were called flagellants, and they believed hurting themselves would please God.
How did the Black Death reduce the power of the Church?
Many people lost faith in the Church when prayers did not cure the sick and even religious leaders died from the plague.
What were the carriers of black death. mention all!
Yersinia Pestis helped carry the plague, to the rats, rats infested food, affected humans.
Name some common symptoms of the Black Death.
Sudden High Fever
– People developed a very high temperature quickly, often feeling weak and shivery.
Painful Swellings (Buboes)
– Large, swollen lumps appeared in the neck, armpits, or groin.
– These were called buboes and were filled with pus.
Headaches and Body Aches
– Patients suffered from strong headaches and muscle pain all over their body.
Chills and Extreme Fatigue
– Many felt cold even with a high fever and were extremely tired or sleepy.
Dark or Black Spots on the Skin
– People developed dark patches or bruises due to internal bleeding under the skin.
– This is why it was called the "Black" Death.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
– In some cases, people experienced vomiting and stomach issues.
Breathing Problems (in Pneumonic Plague)
– If the infection reached the lungs, it caused coughing, chest pain, and breathing trouble.
– This form was even more deadly and spread through the air.
Death Within a Few Days
– Sadly, many people died within 2–5 days after symptoms started.
What was one dangerous method used to "heal" patients?
One method was bloodletting, where doctors cut a patient’s skin to remove blood, believing it would balance the body’s fluids.
Bloodletting
Boil Lancing (cutting open buboes), Burning herbs or incense in the room,
Drinking poisonous or harmful "remedies"
– Some “cures” involved drinking mercury, arsenic, or crushed emeralds.
Why did people start questioning the Church during the plague?
People started questioning the Church because even priests died, and prayers did not stop the disease.
What new social group began to grow after the Black Death?
A new middle class began to grow as merchants and skilled workers gained more opportunities and wealth.
Why did the Black Death spread so quickly across continents?
The plague spread quickly due to increased trade, crowded cities, poor sanitation, and lack of medical knowledge.
Why was the Black Death considered one of the deadliest pandemics in history?
It was considered one of the deadliest pandemics because it killed about one-third of Europe's population.
Why were most treatments during the plague unsuccessful?
Most treatments were unsuccessful because people didn’t understand how diseases spread and relied on superstition.
How did the Black Death change the way people viewed religion and science?
The Black Death caused people to rely less on religion and start thinking more scientifically about health and medicine.
How did the Black Death help bring about the Renaissance?
The Black Death led people to question old beliefs, value education, and explore science and art, which helped start the Renaissance.