The Black Death brought to Early Modern Europe considerable and irreversible changes. The consequences of the Bubonic Plague are reflected in the complete destruction of all spheres of life. The rapid contraction of the population had a negative impact on political life and the economy in particular. The demographic changes led to changes in trade, in society’s attitude to church. The overwhelming depression interfered in music and art, and education as well. That horrible event induced people to a reconsideration of the previous conditions of life. Let us consider the main changes caused by the Black Death and its influence on society (Strocchia, Sharon T. 1).
European economy of that time became the weakest point. The decrease of the population had a considerable on commercial relations since due to the disappearance of the working class which the main basis in the medieval economy, peasants become more conscious and prudent. Consequently, the rural population acquired a more beneficial position since that was the main source of profits and, therefore, they were more appraised the richest layers of the city. In their turn, peasants, who had to work hard to put soul and mind together, consider urban layer “parasites that lived off the peasantry.” (Huppert, George 16). They view the city as a “devouring monster in midst of a subjected countryside” (Huppert, George 17). As it can be seen, the urban wealth was due to rural poverty taking advantage of the privileged position.
Bubonic Plague has changed European attitude to the church. After pandemics, the clergy lost their power on the villagers and, therefore was redundant. It was explained by the fact that all the bishops and the massagers of God did not a reasonable explanation for pandemics. Angry villagers expressed the burst of indignation through revolt and were discontent by the absence of answers (Huppert, George 144). They lost their faith in the church and believed that plague was the punishment of God. Consequently, the Christian church lost its reputation among the peasants. The rebellion was the result of the peasant discontent with the power and the reaction to the impossibility of the church to give reasonable answers. Peasants’ rebellion was also an outcome of their reluctance to feed the urban population and pay taxes and rent.
The Black Death also influenced less important areas of life such as art and education. The Great Depression after the Plague completely changed the plot of the painting and turning into dull reflection mass extinction of the population. Naturally, the development of music stopped at all except music with grim motives.
Dramatic demographic changes were followed by the rise of migration processes. The extreme decrease in population changed the political and economical system. While searching for a better place for living the survivors discovered new continents and set up new settlements. They tried to invent more means for protection and create a new vaccine for diseases. As a result, people began paying attention to education and science and tried to some scientific explanation of the Plague. Therefore, medieval Europe gradually approached a new era where science and knowledge prevailed. The further coming Renaissance period was a logical outcome of the previous event being the next step in the development of humanity. In addition, loss of faith in God and church shifted their attention to the cult of human creatures and the advance of scientific thought.
Works Cited
Huppert, George After the Black Death: a Social History of early modern Europe. US: Indiana University Press, 1998.
Strocchia, Sharon T. “The Black Death Transformed: Disease and Culture in Early Renaissance Europe.” Journal of Social History 38.2 (2004).