The Effect of the Bubonic Plague on European Civilization

by greenleavesinthesky in History, July 28, 2009

This is an in-depth article describing the effects and of the Bubonic Plague in Europe.

During the bubonic plague pandemic, since so many people died, there was a huge worker shortage. With such a large worker shortage there was a massive loss of labor. This caused an economic depression that some say Europe is still recovering from today. When there was a labor shortage, workers were paid much higher wages (Elliott 56). Higher wages gave people a chance to improve their economic status, even though it did little to actually help them since the economy was in such turmoil. When people had more money they began to only believe in material goods and their selves, causing them to lose faith in everything else.

Constant death and despair surrounded Europe during the bubonic plague pandemic. This caused many people to lose faith in medicine, their leaders, and even their religion. People turned to doctors and medical professionals of the time for help, but little could be done for those who were infected with the disease. People needed leadership from their kings and nobles, but they did not get any. Many people prayed to god for help, but never saw their prayers answered. This feeling of helplessness left many people without hope (“Black Death”). Chaos and disorder ruled most of Europe during this time period.

During the bubonic plague pandemic, European civilization was impacted greatly. With the death of over 25 million people, nearly one-third of Europe’s population, labor shortages caused an economic depression that some say Europe is still recovering from today (Elliott 56). After seeing so many people die, many Europeans began to lose faith in everything: kings, nobles, medicine, even their god (“Black Death”). The bubonic plague certainly had a devastating and destructive impact on all of European civilization that can even still be felt today.

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