Europe is among the 7 traditional continents of our world and it comprises Eurasia’s westernmost peninsula. It is surrounded by Asia, the Arctic Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. A European is an inhabitant or a native of the continent of Europe. In addition, an individual who is of European descent or is related to either Europe or its cultures, people, and languages is also called European.
One of European history’s greatest periods was the Renaissance which was the time roughly from the 14th century to the 17th century. It started in the continent of Europe by the prosperous Italian cities of Venice, Ferrara, Florence, and Milan. It gave rise to the modern world and created a new awakening among the people of Europe by increasing education, literacy, and exploration in Europe.
A vernacular language is used by the common people, i.e. it is the native language of a country. During Renaissance, Giovanni Boccaccio, Dante Alighieri, and Daniel Defoe wrote in the vernacular languages.
The Holy Roman Empire refers to the combination of regions in Central Europe formed in 962 and was dissolved in 1806 by Napoleon. The Roman Empire was established as the post-Republican stage of Roman civilization in 27 BC under Augustus. In 395 AD it was divided into the Western Roman Empire, which lasted only till 476 AD, and the Eastern Roman Empire or the Byzantine Empire, which had its capital at Constantinople and was ruled by the direct successors of the Roman Empire.
The Fourteenth Century plagues hit Italy first and then France, Spain, Croatia, Sicily, and Germany, among others, were badly hit. These cities were more affected due to their large population and unhealthy living conditions while Lithuania and Poland were not, since they were more isolated. The port cities were also badly affected since the disease was brought into the cities by the incoming ships.
Among the social effects of the plague was that cost of labor inflated and debauchery and violence began to increase. The rigid feudal society came to an end. Among the political effects, as Feudalism ended, the power of the Nobles also became limited. The kings no longer listened to the nobles who became weak. The middle class became more prestigious and wealthy. Anti-Semitism came into being as people began to blame the Jews for the plagues. The Church also lost its authority and influence on society.
As the population decreased due to the plague so did the taxes which in turn affected the economy. A decrease in population caused a shortage of labor which affected the business enterprises as they charged high prices. The households were also affected since there was a huge shortage of food items and the available ones were very costly. The rural areas were also badly affected due to the Great Famine and as a result, the food production in the rural areas was reduced. Though the rural areas were more isolated than the cities which were filthy and densely populated, it was unable to escape the consequences.
The plague affected the economy of Europe badly. The survivors unable to raise their children considered them unimportant and as a result, the birth rates dropped drastically. The physical and mental health of the children was affected since their parents often abandoned them as they were unable to provide them with proper food and amenities. The survivors depended heavily on agriculture which was already hit by the great famine. The girl child was considered unlucky as per the regional custom of the time and parents favored male children to carry on their family name.