14th Century Plague Investigation

Introduction

Discover what living conditions and religious beliefs in the 14th century were like, including life expectancy, medical knowledge and beliefs about the power of God

Investigate the role of the expanding trade agreements and trade routes between Europe and Asia during the Black Death, including the origin and spread of the disease.

Explore the causes and symptoms of the Black Death and the various responses of different groups in society to the spread of the disease, such as the flagellants and monasteries

Scrutinize the effects of the Black Death on Asian, European and African populations, and conflicting theories about the impact of the plague.

Task

Your investigation must include the following:

Describe living conditions in London in the 14th century, include sanitation processes, housing conditions, medical knowledge (advancements) and religious beliefs (disease as a punishment, god's healing powers).
Map the spread of the Black Death through Europe, Asia and Africa in the 14th Century C.E. (Include the trade routes that assisted the spread of the disease).
Causes, symptoms and responses of society groups, such as, monasteries and religious sects e.g. Flagellants.
Show the effects of Black Death on population rates, society (e.g. uprisings, labor shortages, feudal structures).
Write a conclusion outlining the long-term and short-term severity of the effects of the Black Plague.

Process

Begin by investigating these websites,

In brief – London in the late-Middle Ages | The History of London

Society, economy and the law in fourteenth-century England | Faculty of History

The Spread of the Plague in Europe, 1346 - 1353 (Illustration) - World History Encyclopedia

Evaluation

Effects of the Black Death on Europe - World History Encyclopedia

Black Death | Definition, Cause, Symptoms, Effects, Death Toll, & Facts | Britannica

Conclusion

Now it is time for you to draw some conclusions about what you have learned on your journey. Write an overview of your conclusions about the short-term and long-term effects of the Black Death on life in the 14th century.

When writing your conclusion include the following:

How did the mass loss of life impact life in Europe, Africa and Asia?

How did the Black Plague effect medicine, religious belief, trade and sanitation?

Credits

Content Descriptor	Grade A-B	Grade C	Grade D-E
Living conditions and religious beliefs in the 14th century, including life expectancy, medical knowledge and beliefs about the power of God (ACDSEH015)	Student outlines in detail the living conditions in the 14th Century. Detail includes - life expectancy, medical knowledge, religious belief, sanitation/hygiene or superstition.	Student outlines some living conditions in the 14th Century. Detail includes some of the following – life expectancy, medical knowledge, religious belief, hygiene/sanitation.	Student outline little detail regarding living conditions in the 14th Century. Detail includes little information about the following - life expectancy, medical knowledge, religious belief, hygiene/sanitation.
The role of expanding trade between Europe and Asia during the Black Death, including the origin and spread of the disease (ACDSEH069)	Student explains in detail the role the expanding trade and trade routes played in the origin and spread of the disease, including a detailed map of 14th century Europe, Africa and Asia showing spread of disease and trade routes.	Student explains some details the role of expanding trade and trade routes played in the origin and spread of disease, including basic map of 14th century Europe, Africa and Asia showing either spread of disease and/or trade routes.	Student outlines basic role of trade and trade routes played in the spread of the disease, includes simple map of spread of disease and/or trade routes.
The causes and symptoms of the Black Death and the responses of different groups in society to the spread of the disease, such as the flagellants and monasteries (ACDSEH070)	Student provides detailed explanation of the causes, symptoms and responses of a variety of societal groups (min 2) to the spread of the disease.	Student provides simple explanation of the causes, symptoms and responses of 1 societal group to the spread of the disease.	Student provides some explanation of causes, symptoms and responses by society as a whole to the spread of a disease.
The effects of the Black Death on Asian, European and African populations, and conflicting theories about the impact of the plague (ACDSEH071)	Student details the effect of the Black Death on Asian, European and African populations and draws conclusions about the conflicting theories of impact long-term and short-term of the plague.	Student provides some details on the effect of the Black Death on Asian, European and African populations and draws conclusions about the conflicting theories of impact long-term and short-term of the plague.	Student provides little detail on the effect of the Black Death on Asian, European and African populations and draws conclusions about the conflicting theories of impact long-term and short-term of the plague.