The Black Death

14th Century AD1347 - 1352

The plague: a pandemic

Epidemic: when a lot of people get infected by a desease in a short amount of time

Until the 20th century also other deseases endangered Europe e.g. tuberculosis, syphilis, leprosy, cholera, smallpox etc.

Pandemic: when a desease infects other countries and continents as well

The plague: origin

Coming out of the East (Mongolia, China) the Black Death reached the shores of Italy (Sicily) in the spring of 1347 unleashing a rampage of death across unprecedented in recorded history.

By the time the epidemic played itself out, three years later, anywhere between 1/3 and 2/3 of Europe’s population had fallen victim.

The Origins

-China / Central Asia

- The trade city of Caffa (1346)

- merchants ships bring black rats who carry the bacteria

- spread throughout the Mediterranean

- ravaged Europe

The Origins

First biological weapon?

Trade city of Caffa Infected dead

bodies were used as a weapon

Types of the Plague

Bubonic Plague (infection in the lymph nodes)

Pneumonic Plague (infection in the lungs) Septicemic Plague (infection in the blood)

How did the Plague spread?

How did the Plague spread?

Efforts to stop the Plague

Plague doctors

Efforts to stop the Plague

Monks in monasteries

Efforts to stop the Plague

Bloodletting

Influences on society

Punishment from God Many people turn their backs on the

church

Influences on society

The Jews get blamed for the Plague A big Jewish society is created in

East-Europe