Major Developments (1206-1340) Mongols (Genghis Khan) established a massive empire running from Eastern Europe, through Mesopotamia, across central Europe to China between 1206-1340. Silk road re-opened and other trade routes through steppes expanded between 1207-1340. Genoese traders opened the Straits of Gibraltar to Christian shipping in 1291. Mediterranean was connected by merchant trade to northern Europe by land and sea. (1290 1340) Contacts between people from Europe, Africa, and Asia expanded due to conflicts and cultural blending
Mongol Invasions (1207 1227)
The Silk Road Re-established (1207 1340) The Silk Road
Trade as a Facilitator of Death (1290 1340) Genoese (red) and Venetian (green) maritime trade routes in the Mediterranean and Black Sea
The Simplified Theory for the Spread of the Black Death Originally transmitted between Mongols and Genoese Traders. Brought to Constantinople and the Italian Peninsula through trade contacts. Infected Rats from trade ships spread into port cities. Infected Fleas on the rats spread to humans through flea bites. Infected traders, pilgrims and troubadours passed it to others.
The Black Death The Black Death is thought to have entered Europe via a siege at Kaffa in the Crimea in 1347. Supposedly transmitted by Geonoese traders to Constantinople and throughout the Italian Peninsula. The spread and impact was geographically uneven. All Males and female adults were more vulnerable. Theory that the spread may have been related to iron in the diet. Further epidemics occurred again in the 1360s and 1370s. Intermittent outbreaks occurred for the next 300 years.
Spread of the Black Death
(Problems with the Original Theory) The Black Death is widely assumed to have been bubonic plague (2 nd pandemic). One theory suggests that Mongol troops who invaded the Himalayan source in 1253 brought it back to Mongolia, from where it spread underground across the steppes. However, there is no evidence of plague amongst Mongols until after their contact with the Genoese. Chinese records indicate no plague before 1331. Believed that this outbreak was transmitted by Mongols across Asia. There is suggestive evidence that a 14% loss of population amongst the Mongols was due to conflict and not disease
Scott and Duncan Research Scott and Duncan argue Black Death could not have been bubonic plague for several reasons: Contemporary accounts all reported the plague was person to person; No reports of a die off of rats reported during plague Black rat (Rattus rattus) likes warm conditions: IN Britain Rats did not spread inland to rural areas. The Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) only arrived in the 18th century. Susan Scott, Christopher Duncan, "Return of the Black Death", John Wiley & Sons, 2004
Scott and Duncan Research Scott and Duncan argue Black Death could not have been bubonic plague for several reasons: No rats in Iceland, yet the plague spread there. Plague moved too quick for rats 100 miles in a few days; The Bubonic plague spreads very slowly. Weather in England was not warm enough for Xenopsylla cheopis fleas to hatch (require 18 o C) Susan Scott, Christopher Duncan, "Return of the Black Death", John Wiley & Sons, 2004
Scott and Duncan Research Bubonic plague is not transmitted person to person - it requires rats Pneumonic plague does not require rats - but it does not produce buboes (one of the reported symptoms). Incubation period of Black Death was 32 days, latent period 10-12 days, infectious for 20-22 days without symptoms. Incubation for bubonic plague is only about 5-6 days. Bubonic plague has a much lower death rate than the Black Death. The ship from Constantinople that was supposed to have carried the Black Death had no reported cases its arrival was probably just coincidental. Susan Scott, Christopher Duncan, "Return of the Black Death", John Wiley & Sons, 2004
Scott and Duncan Conclusions Scott and Duncan say the Black Death was caused by an unidentified air-borne disease, which they refer to as haemorrhagic plague. They believe it was similar to the modern African haemorrhagic fevers (e.g. Marbug, Ebola), suggesting an African origin. They suggested that the Plague of Athens and the Justinian Plague may also have been earlier episodes of the same haemorrhagic plague.
Major Impact of the Black Death Chinese population declined from 123 million in 1200 to 65 million 1393. Probably bubonic plague. In Europe the Black Death killed an estimated 25 million people, reducing the total population by 25-40 per cent. England, Italy, France, Poland, Russia and the Balkans are said to have lost 50 per cent of their populations. Labour shortages hit food production; - wage labour was introduced to attract workers and wages increased. Cities became more important causing the growth and power of the bourgeoisie (Merchant Middle Class). Net economic effect collapse of feudalism and beginnings of capitalism. Decline in faith due to so many deaths (Including Church Leaders) Rise of Anti-Semitism as Jews became scapegoats