History
What is The Black Death?
The Black Death was a devastating plague that swept through Europe and Asia in the 1300s, killing an estimated one-third to half of Europe's population. Spread by fleas on rats, it reshaped society, economy, and labor for generations.
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Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the black death.
Key things to understand
- 1It was a massive plague pandemic peaking around 1347–1351.
- 2It killed roughly a third to half of Europe's people.
- 3It spread via fleas on rats and person to person.
- 4It transformed labor, the economy, and society.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the Black Death?
- A catastrophic plague pandemic in the 1300s that killed a huge share of Europe's and Asia's population.
- What caused the Black Death?
- A bacterium (Yersinia pestis) spread mainly by fleas on rats, and between people.
- How did the Black Death change society?
- Mass deaths created labor shortages, weakened feudalism, and reshaped economies and social structures.