The Black Plague destroyed one quarter of the European population and is called one of the most significant diseases in history (Collins). The plague had caused a decline in society in terms of the number of deaths and the economic loss. As large numbers of peasants who died from the Black Death rents were no longer paid, there was a shortage of labor and serfs were no longer readily available to be called up into regional military forces in times of need (Collins). As a result of the labor shortages caused by the Black Death, the aristocracy begins to lose much of their power and status. The deaths of many lives were lost to this deadly disease,and because of this tragedy the world of medicine has modernized. Previously practitioners of medicine relied upon biblical cures, Towns and villages slowly began to implement local health boards to develop and enforce sanitation procedures. The Black Death had the effect of radically altering all aspects of European Society. However, as local populations finally began to develop immunity to the plague and procedures for limiting the spread of the disease the survivors developed a new economy to replace the feudal system. Europe became poised to enter the …show more content…
It was so difficult and dangerous to procure goods through trade and to produce them, the prices of both goods produced locally and imported ones from other ports skyrocketed (Decameron Web). Trading became dangerous because the countries did not want to once again contract an imported disease. The difficulties of trying to trade got harder because no one else wanted to catch the disease. The illness and death of many workers became exceedingly scarce, so even peasants felt the effects of the new rise in wages. The demand for people to work the land was so high that it threatened the economy (Decameron Web). Workers who worked the land were no longer tied to one master; if one left the land, another lord would instantly hire them. A lord is the master or person who is in charge of the land and require servants to help maintain it. The lords had to make changes to the extent of making the situation more profitable for the peasants in order to keep them on their land. In general, wages outpaced prices and the standard of living was eventually raised. Peasants actually benefitted from the effect of the plague, even though the prices were higher, they were earning more money (How Did the Black Plague Spread? And Affect the Population? - Medieval History). Since the plague killed many poor people, the wealthy landowners were forced to pay the remaining workers what they asked. There was now a