By the beginning of the epidemic of the Black Death in 1346, Europe was considered overpopulated, and the standard of living was rapidly falling. The inhabitants suffered from wars, famine, disease, and poverty. Poor sanitary conditions combined with the lack of space in houses led to the rise in illnesses. It is not surprising that the plague spread easily in such conditions. What is surprising is that the circumstances it led to were not degradation and economic stagnation, but the prosperity of Europe.
Population decline has led to the redistribution of resources and optimization of agriculture. The lands for cultivation spread and families could feed themselves again, which had a beneficial effect on the health of the population. The structure of production itself was gradually changing, more and more land was being used for pastures for livestock (Hunt). The plague laid the foundation for social mobility and growth. People had the opportunity to change their place and type of work.
The pandemic had a grave impact on the feudal system, and the peasants realized for the first time that they could live differently. In the cities that suffered from the plague, the houses were empty, and there was not enough workforce. Due to this situation, many villagers moved into cities to work in manufactures. The quality of life grew, people began to demand better working conditions and earn more money (Hunt). Houses became more practical and cleaner – separate rooms appeared; people no longer had to sleep together with cattle. Commerce grew; there appeared many new manufactures and trades. Cities were becoming larger due to the processes of urbanization and migration of population. All these improvements led to an economic upsurge in Europe.
Work Cited
Hunt, Lynn, et al. The making of the West: Peoples and cultures. Value Edition, vol. 1. [MBS Direct]. Web.