Consequences of the Black Death

Paper Summary:

This presents the causes of the Black Death and explains how it was able to spread so far and so quickly. It also discusses the immediate and long-term economic, social and cultural consequences of the Black Death, in late medieval England. The paper shows how the causes, spread and the various consequences of the Black Death were all related to new trends in population. The paper includes an annotated bibliography.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Causes
The Spread of the Black Death
Immediate Consequences of Black Death
Long-term Consequences of Black Death
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"At the heart of the Black Death are changes in population trends. Those changing trends such as urbanization, emigration, and new trading structures caused the Black Death. The same trends also caused the conditions which produced many economic, social, and cultural changes. The greatest economic consequence of the Black Death was an improvement in the standard of living. However, villeinage was just as much strengthened. The greatest social consequence was the reduction in population. Out of the Black Death came a new secular culture that was focused on state building (Cohn 738). The entire social and economic history of late medieval England was determined by the Black Death."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bridbury, A.R. "The Black Death". The Economic History Review. XXVI.4 (1973): 577-592.
• Cohn, Samuel K. "The Black Death: End of a Paradigm". American Historical Review. 107. (2002): 703-738.
• Hatcher, John. "England in the Aftermath of the Black Death". Past & Present. 144.1. (1994): 3-35.
• Nightingale, Pamela. "Some New Evidence of Crises and Trends of Mortality in Late Medieval England". Past & Present. 187.1. 33-68.
• Smith, Richard. "Demographic Developments in Rural England, 1300-48: A Survey". Before the Black Death. Ed. Bruce M. Campbell. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1989. 25-77.

More papers on Consequences of the Black Death:

• Book Review # 34559 : "The Black Death and the Transformation of the West"
• Essay # 41987 : "The Black Death and Consequences"
• Essay # 15978 : "The Black Death"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: