What impact will the plague have on decline of feudalism?
The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. It is estimated to have killed between 75 and 200 million people in Europe between 1347 and 1351, reducing the European population by about one-third.
The Black Death had a profound impact on European society and politics. It weakened the power of the feudal aristocracy and helped to bring about the rise of the merchant class.
The Weakening of Feudal Aristocracy
Before the Black Death, Europe was a feudal society. Land was the primary source of wealth, and it was owned by a small number of powerful nobles. These nobles held their land in exchange for military service to the king.
The Black Death decimated the ranks of the nobility, including many of the most powerful and influential nobles. This led to a decline in the power of the feudal aristocracy and an increase in the power of the king.
The Rise of the Merchant Class
The Black Death also led to a rise in the merchant class. With so many people dying, there was a great demand for goods and services. Merchants were able to profit from this demand and accumulate wealth.
The merchant class became increasingly powerful economically, and they began to challenge the power of the nobility. This led to a series of conflicts between the merchant class and the nobility, which ultimately resulted in the rise of the merchant class and the decline of feudalism.
The decline of feudalism and rise of the merchant class were important developments in European history. They paved the way for the rise of capitalism and the development of the modern world.