The Great Famine: Causes and Consequences

• Before the 14th century, Europe's population grew substantially, leading to land overwork and slowed production by the late 13th century.
• A global cooling phase, with unknown causes, exacerbated the situation, causing even a small temperature drop of one degree to significantly impact agriculture.
• The Little Ice Age brought wet conditions and heavy rainfall, shortening the growing season by up to 20%.
• Traditional seeds couldn't withstand the extreme weather changes and moisture, resulting in a shortage of usable crops.
• Vital crops like wheat and rye suffered a major production decline across Europe due to the Little Ice Age.
• Snow cover lasted longer in springtime, fostering crop-devastating parasites.
• Shortages of hay led to the substitution of straw or pine for livestock feed.
• Livestock was slaughtered to feed starving populations amidst declining crop production.
• Famine spread across Europe from about 1315 to 1317, causing population decline.
• Cool, moist conditions fostered illnesses that caused gangrene or death in entire villages.
• Grains stored in these conditions could develop fungi or ferment, potentially causing hallucinations.
• Ergot blight, a grain fungus, may have contributed to the Salem witch hunt hysteria in 1692.
• The Little Ice Age led to a decline in wine production, farm destruction, reduced tax collection, and decreased property values.

The Black Death

• The Black Death began around 1347 and devastated Europe, wiping out at least a third of the population in less than a decade.
• Spread by rat fleas, the Black Death (or plague) could kill a person within five days.
• Symptoms included high fever, diarrhea, delirium, swollen lymph nodes, and black splotches on the skin.
• Victims also suffered bleeding in their lungs, nausea, vomiting, muscle pains, and disorientation.
• Treatments included draining swollen areas or administering arsenic, lily root, or dried toad.
• Cities experienced higher infection rates due to close living quarters and lack of knowledge about contagious disease spread.
• Improper disposal of bodies and a lack of protective garments for those handling them worsened the situation.
• Towns were dirty with plentiful rats carrying diseased fleas, which spread the disease rapidly.
• People blamed witches, astrology, or religious groups for the plague due to a lack of medical knowledge.
• The plague encircled Europe within about five years before disappearing.

Impacts

• The Little Ice Age, famine, and the Black Death led to significant population decline.
• The population did not recover to pre-plague levels until after 1500.
• De-urbanization occurred as people realized the plague spread more easily in cities.
• People became more isolated and embraced extreme religious beliefs to quell their fear.
• Many people donated possessions and land to the Church in exchange for protection from illness.
• Many doubted the healing power of the clergy against illness.
• Groups engaged in behaviors outlawed by the Church, such as drinking, gambling, gluttony, and extravagance.
• The workforce decreased significantly, causing the cost of labor to skyrocket.
• The feudal system began to decline, granting peasants more freedom and land.
• Aristocrats' attempts to restore feudalism led to peasant revolts.
• Agricultural life evolved into industrial systems as European towns repopulated.
• Medical sciences developed due to the plague.
• Education emphasized anatomy and science more after the plague wiped out many doctors and priests who practiced healing by faith and superstition.

Explore the causes of the Great Famine in 14th-century Europe, including population growth, climate change, and agricultural challenges. Learn about the impact of the Little Ice Age on crop production and livestock, and the subsequent famine that led to widespread suffering and population decline.