Effects Of Black Death On Society

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“One third of a country’s population cannot be eliminated over a period of some two and a half years without considerable dislocation to its economy and its social structure”[i] The Black Death brought about great change in Europe’s economy, society, and culture over many decades and even generations. Did the Black Death cause the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381? Did the plague contribute to the moral disintegration of European society? What imprints did it leave on European art and on the church at this time in history and beyond? In outlining the effects on economy we must look back before the arrival of the Black Death. At this time, wealthy landlords and landowners held the upper hand over the peasants’ and for the most part dictated wages…show more content…
One would think what positive outcomes could come out of such terror that the plague brought. But it the midst of it all there were some with a renewed energy, a sense of creatively and ambition. There is no doubt that the plague was one of the most influential events in the transition from medieval to modern-day Europe, and certainly no other event changed so many different characteristics of society as it…show more content…
Craftsmen and masons that survived became too much in demand. With more work and less time, shortcuts were taken to complete work quicker, thus they did not use their talents to the full. They opted for less complicated techniques. Standards that once stood were lost. Also many structures that were started before the plaque were left unfinished. There are those that have said that York Minister, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, would have been more perfect if it had been finished ten or twenty years before. Although some agree or disagree with this statement, European architecture did push forward as new trends and styles emerged. Canterbury Cathedral and Beverly Minister, in the United Kingdom, are evidence that architecture found its way in the decades that followed the Black Death. In conclusion, in attempting to sketch the effects of the Black Death, one could touch on a number of various aspects as a result. Here we have touched on some of the more dominant issues like the effects on the church, the relations between peasants and landlords, and the views that people had on daily life. This is only a small portion in trying to illustrate the effects of the Black Death on Europe. We do know however, the face of Europe changed dramatically and economy, society, and culture would never be the same
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