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The Black Death - Then and Now: History of the Black Death

Lessons and extension activities for an interdisciplinary approach to the Black Death and epidemic disease

The Black Death Quick Facts

Most historians believe the the Black Death was a form of bubonic plague. In addition, forms of pneumonic and septicemic plague also occurred. Each type of plague affects a different system of the body. Bubonic affects the lymphatic system, pneumonic affects the respiratory system and speticemic affects the circulatory system.

Plague is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis, which is found in infected fleas that live on rodents, particulary rats.

Here are the symptoms for each type of plague accoriding to the Centers for Disease Control Control and Prevention:

The incubation period is typically 1–6 days. History is suggestive of exposure to rodents, rodent fleas, wild rabbits, sick or dead carnivores, or patients with pneumonic plague. Symptoms and signs of the 3 clinical presentations of plague illness are as follows:

  • Bubonic (more than 80%)—rapid onset of fever; painful, swollen, and tender lymph nodes              
  • Pneumonic—high fever, overwhelming pneumonia, cough, bloody sputum, (mucus or phlegm), chills
  • Septicemic—fever, prostration, hemorrhagic or thrombotic (blood clot) phenomena, progressing to acral gangrene (Acral means extremities, like hands and feet. With gangere there is dead tissue or lesions on the hands and feet and it is discolored much like a severe bruise.) Below is an image.

 

This probably where the Black Death got its name. Tissue turned black and infected lymph nodes also turned black. Can we say ... nasty!


It is widely accepted that the plague originated in Asia and made its way through the trade routes such as the Silk Roads, which came from Asia to the eastern Mediterranean.

This was not the first outbreak of plague, however, the death rate was significant when compared to other pandemics. The Black Death occurred from 1347 to about 1351, before it began to decline. Approximately 20 million people died from Asia to Europe. About 1/3 to 1/2 of Europe's population died as a result.

Medieval medicine was not sophisticated enough to deal with the illness and sometimes the treatments made it worse.

As a result of the plague, Europe was changed culturally, political, economically and religiously forever.

Plague Parody to Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl"

First off, no one can do it like Gwen, but the song is really cool and you learn a lot!

History's Turning Points Video 1347 - The Black Death

The above image will take you to a video, about 25 minutes long, about the Black Death that struck in 1347. If your school will not allow the youtube link, go to the following link and scroll down until you find the video on the Black Death. Top Documentary Films: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/historys-turning-points/

History in Images - A Scourge Hath Come!

Click on the image and see the Black Death in pictures.

Choose images that are the most powerful and intriguing for you. Create a digital collage using Glogster to help visualize the fear and uncertainity of this era.

You can go to www.glogster.com and make a free account. Share your link it you like on the student page.

Choose Your Path Through the Black Death

A Time Travel - Pilgrimage Through the Black Death (simulation link)

In this simulation you will travel through Europe at the time of the plague. You can either be a pilgrim or a merchant. You will need a die to role.

1. Print the map of Europe on the website. Here you will trace your journey through the plague-infested Europe.

2. Find out more about each city you visit and write a postcard back to you family or friends.

3. Keep a journal of what you experience.

4. When finished you can share your work on the student page.

5. GOOD LUCK!