The Black Death And The Social Transformation Of 14～(th)-15～(th)'s Europe

In recent years, due to domestic academia began to focus on the history of plague discussions to find a new starting point in the historical research. In studying the plague of the European Middle Ages, the Black Death like a piece of virgin land, attracting many scholars. The in-depth study of the history of the Black Death as well as its impact is of great significance to correctly understand the development process of European society.The Black Death is one the most serious pestilences in history. As the most appalling ecological catastrophe in Middle Age, it impacts the life of Middle Age utterly and therefore leaves deep influence on Middle Age's history for long. It strikes a large area for a long time with numerous people died. Therefore, this terrible catastrophe portrays another picture of the blackness of Middle Age and soils a bad seeds for the history that continues. Specifically speaking, it sparks an all-around crisis including religious beliefs, politic, economy, social structure and medical treatment that later deteriorates further into a series of profound social revolution. Therefore, Black Death constitutes an indirect reason of religious revolution, renaissance, geographical discovery and medical revolution that are all profound historic events. Then, no doubt to explore the historic relationship between this pestilence and the development of Middle Age's society is of great value.This paper consists of four parts: introduction, part 1, part 2, part 3 and the conclusion. The introduction is mainly about the basis of the researching issues this paper concentrates on as well as the existed researching achievements on this issue both at home and abroad. Also, my own assessment is included.In part 1, firstly it is an informational introduction of what is Black Death. Then it comes to discuss the original place of this pestilence, on which I will come to my own conclusion by presenting and concluding the existed argument. Its spread in Middle East as well as in Europe is added as well.Part 2 is the analysis of Black Death's impact on politic and economy in Europe, including why Black Death spreads so quickly, why it leads into death in such a great number as well as its horrifying damage on European politic and economy.Part 3 concentrates on changes happened in European politic and economy after the pestilence. It explores its impact on the process of European politic and economy. Specifically speaking, Black Death leads to the sharp reduction of population in Europe and then accelerates the collapse of the slavery with the city economy reborn, which of course results in the adjustment in economic structure. Meanwhile, Black Death brings trouble in the European politic and hence results in the adjustment in political structure.Part 4 focuses on Black Death's impact on European culture and psychology. It explores Black Death's impact on religion, culture and public psychology in Europe from the cultural transformation and evolution of psychology in Europe after Black Death.In conclusion, it makes a final summarization of Black Death's impact on European history as well as points out its value of precaution to present.