black death

The black death brought about much death and much uncertainty in 14 century Europe. Italy would loose half its population and Europe would loose at least a third in a period of about 5 years. the global loss of life is estimated to be at least 75 million.

the plague upset the social structure of Europe. the church lost much of its control over the people at this time. many people who where uncertain of when they would die began to live for the moment. during this time people went out of control and minorities such as Jews and lepers were prosecuted and murdered. peasant revolts also broke out in some areas. these revolts could be viewed as the first class struggles from a Marxist point of view.

during this time many artist painted skeletons and other pictures of death on coffins or public buildings. songs and poems from this time were also very morbid.