The Bubonic Plague

By suzme40
  • Jan 1, 1331

    Bubonic Plague (Black Plague) starts

    The Bubonic Plague started in Mongolia in 1331. The plague claimed the lives of the Great Khan and his sons in 1332. The Plague was caused by Yersinia Pestis Bacteria, which was spread by Oriental Rat Fleas living on black rats found on merchant ships in the Mediterranean.
  • Jan 1, 1341

    Bubonic Plague hits China, then Europe

    The Bubonic Plague likely started in China and spread west along the Silk Road hitting Crimea in 1346 and peaking in Europe around 1349. Although the plague hit Europe and Asia fiercely, the entire world population was reduced by 40% to 60%
  • Jan 1, 1400

    Afternath of the Bubonic Plague

    It took about 150 years for the world population to return to normal levels. People became wary of their governments because of their inability to know the cause and stop the spread of the Plague. Governing bodies tried to lessen the spread of the Plague by stopping the export of foodstuffs and setting price controls on grains. Unfortunately, these measures had little or no effect on the spread of the Plague, but, rather, caused even greater food shortages in the hardest hit areas.
  • Jan 1, 1450

    Social effects of the Bubonic Plague

    Many people blamed Jews and believed that jewish people poisoned the water supply, causing the spread of the plague. Religious groups, such as priests, lost a high percentage of lives because they worked caring for the afflicted, and became victims of the disease. As the Plague cleared, people with leprosy, as well as minor non-contagious skin problems were singled out and often killed out of fear.
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Economic aftermath of the Bubonic Plague

    Peasants learned that they could band together and bring about changes in their government. This brought about peasant uprisings in France and England. Peasants began to demand more pay because there were fewer workers. More people owned land than before.
  • Jan 1, 1550

    Population growth

    The world population finally began to normalize 150 years after the peak of the Bybonic Plague