Consequences of the Black Death essays

Consequences of the Black Death essays I believe that the Black Death had many consequences, good and bad, on European history. In example, it killed thousands of people, afterwards there were revolutions that led to more freedom for peasants and the death made people either less or more religious. So in ways it was a great help to society as in others it was a great disaster. The Black Death did kill thousands of people, but England had been greatly overpopulated before the plague. The loss of all those people opened up more land and resources to the survivors. The population loss during the Black Death also led to increased productivity by resorting a more efficient balance between labor, land, and capital. This decline in people meant an increase in per capita wealth. This meant more money all around. After the Black Death, there were revolutions that led to more freedom for peasants. As the demand for labors became greater, peasants soon realized that they were actually very important members of the society. Without laborers lands could not be worked and money could not be made. Because of the shortage of workers after the plague, peasants wages rose greatly. Of course landlords didnt like the idea of peasants being paid so well and tried to put in to affect laws preventing it. On being the English Statute of Laborers (1351), which tried to freeze salaries and wages at prices before the plague. The peasants revolted and the statute didnt help land owners. Peasants and the working class now held power. People either became more or less religious during the Black Death. It was not unusual for people to turn to gross sensuality or to hysterical religious fervors during the plague. Some people joined groups of flagellants, who whipped and scourged themselves as penance for their and societys sins, in belief that the Black Death was Gods punishment for humanitys wickedness. ...