Unit 8.1        Essay Preview

Look at this examination question about history.  The answer is well-structured, but some of the words here don’t fit in with the academic style of the rest. First of all, think for yourself of a more academic way of saying it - then, you can double-click on the words to find a more academic word from the generator. Some of these words are practised in this unit, but there are also several words which you'll find in other units.

Briefly summarise the origins and effects of the plague known as the ‘Black Death’ in 14^th Century Europe.

It is generally agreed that the Black Death was caused by Bubonic Plague – a disease passed to humans from rats by fleas. However, the medical evidence is hard to work out and some writers believe that the Black Death was not a simple thing and was made up of more than one disease. Recent studies of teeth from 14^th century skeletons have failed to produce clear medical evidence.

The disease is likely to have originated in central Asia and to have been spread through Europe and Asia by war and trade activities. The poor weather and lack of food during the early part of the 14^th Century was also a big thing in the Black Death, as it must have left the population weakened.

The effects of the Black Death covered every aspect of Mediaeval society. No correct records of population exist for this period, but people guess it fell by round about  40 % during the first major outbreak between 1348 and 1350. An even higher part of the inhabitants of cities was probably affected due to the insanitary conditions there. The economic effects in England and France were compounded by war and the ineffectiveness of the Church and States to form a well put together response to the crisis.

In the long run, the Black Death probably made a difference to to greater social mobility and reduced the authority of the church and state, sowing the seeds of later social and religious upheaval.

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