8. What was an important effect of

the Black Death (bubonic plague) on

the populations of Europe in the late

1340s?

The Feudal system that had previously dominated Europe begins to collapse.

Considered divine punishment, the Black Death (bubonic plague) was one of the largest epidemics that plagued mankind.

In early 1330 the first outbreak of the bubonic plague happened in China. Plague mainly affects rodents, but their fleas can transmit the disease to people. Once infected, the infection to other people occurs extremely quickly. The plague causes fever and a painful swelling of the lymphatic glands called bulbs, hence its name. The disease can also cause blemishes on the skin that first have a reddish color and then turn black.