• Research Paper on:
    The Social Equalizing Factors of The Black Plague

    Number of Pages: 9

     

    Summary of the research paper:

    In this paper consisting of nine pages the economic and social changes that resulted from the plague are considered through expert examples and counter arguments. There are eight bibliographic sources cited.

    Name of Research Paper File: D0_MBbldeath.rtf

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    Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
    would be forever changed. It can be said that the seeds of discontent with the feudal system were already there, however. So, to that end, then, to what degree was  the Black Death a determining factor in the social state of Europe during the 14th century? During the 14th century a plague spread across much of Europe with such ferocity  that it changed the course of human history forever. Interestingly enough, the deadly plague that would claim nearly twenty five million lives in Europe, did not originate on its own  shores(Bubonic Plague). During this time the economic and social conflicts only added to the misery of the people of the day and age. Medieval medicine was helpless to combat this  disease as they did not know what had started it. Beginning with flu like symptoms, swelling of the lymph glands and red or black spots on the skin gave the  plague the name, Black Death. Because so many would die from this, it inevitably placed Europe in a very precarious position. Some estimates place some citys losses at around eighty  to ninety percent of its workforce(Marks, 1998, 60). Not only were Europeans struggling for their lives against the plague, but economically they found themselves scrambling to recover. Labor shortages abounded  and as a result those that were well took advantage of the situation and demanded higher wages. When the landlords refused to meet the demands of the labor force, the  peasants revolted all across Europe(Bubonic Plague). However, it can also be assumed that the standard of living for the commoner actually got better(assuming that they didnt die first). So, in  this context, it can be said that the Black Death was a great equalizer, bringing the landed gentry to the point where their very survival depended on the willingness of 

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