The Plague - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The PlagueSlide2

From 1347 to 1351, The Black Death (The “Plague”) originated in Central Asia. The Plague swept through Asia, Europe and Africa by way of Mediterranean Trade Routes.

The Plague was at its worst between 1347 and 1351.Slide3

The Plague followed the Mediterranean trade routes from China to Europe and Africa.Slide4

The Plague was likely caused by a bacteria,

Yersinia

Pestis

. Infected rats would carry fleas that would become infected. The disease was then passed on to humans through flea bites

.Slide5

A flea like this would carry the bacteria and then the

disease was

passed

on to humans through flea bites.

Image can be found at legendofpineridge.blogspot.com

Slide6

Symptoms included nausea, vomiting, headaches, fever, purple patches on the skin, and blood in sputum.

Image found

at news.asiantown.netSlide7

Four out of five died within eight days of showing symptoms.

Image found at africanstarline.netSlide8

Historians estimate that the world’s population may have been reduced by 100 million people. Prior to the Plague, the world population was about 450 million.Slide9

China lost about half of its population.

Europe lost about one-third of its population.

Africa lost about one-eighth of its population.Slide10

Image can be found at commons.wikimedia.orgSlide11

The Black Death was more devastating in areas with high population density which explains why it was less prolific in Africa. Russia was also less affected perhaps due to its cold climate and size.Slide12

As people saw the disease spread faster in cities, many moved to the countryside where they believed that they would be safer.Slide13

Because the cause of the Black Death was not known, and healers could do little to help the afflicted, several attempts were made to stop the spread.Slide14

Monks and priests cared for the afflicted in monasteries, but were therefore more likely to get sick themselves.

Image

found atoldphotosbombay.blogspot.com Slide15

Some Europeans blamed earthquakes for the spread of the disease.Slide16

In many European communities, Christians believed that Jews were the cause and they blamed them for poisoning wells. In France, some Jewish communities were exterminated, and some were burned alive.

Image can be found

at

aia-themiddleages.blogspot.comSlide17

As terrible as the Black Death was, there were some changes that were beneficial.Slide18

In Europe, so many workers died, that the Nobles who owned the land were forced to pay higher wages to attract workers. In other words, as the supply of workers went down, the wages they demanded went up.

Image found at westcivprojecttrasatti.blogspot.comSlide19

Also, farms were forced to increase efficiency. Fewer workers meant that more advanced farming tools had to be used to work the land. Plots also grew larger due to population loss.

Image found

at francegallery.blogspot.comSlide20

Although the Plague was most severe in the 14

th

century, it came back in parts of Europe until the 17

th

century. Each time it killed fewer people. Historians believe that there may have been two reasons for this.Slide21

First, natural selection may have helped. This means that people who were naturally able to fend off the disease passed their genes to their offspring resulting in a population that was less likely to contract the disease.Slide22

Second, hygiene habits and efforts to improve public health and sanitation had a significant impact on the falling rates of infection.