Economic and Social Changes in the Medieval West, Essay Example

Climate, disease and war directly lead to economic and social change during the late Middle Ages in Western civilization. Coming out of a period of expansion and economic growth, the late Middle Ages was a point in European history in which disease and political and economic turmoil plagued the region. In the beginning of the late Middle ages, the region experienced a Little Ice Age, which resulted in destroyed farms and crops and directly lead to the Great Famine of 1315-1317 and further turmoil and economic struggle (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 330-332). In addition to this, the region was also in the grip of the Hundred Years War as well as being cut off from trade routes to the Mediterranean (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 344-346). All of these major events lead to the near collapse of European civilization.

Along with climate troubles and famine, the Black Death of 1948 caused widespread reduction in population and growth, and is said to be the most devastating event of the time in terms of economic and social upheaval (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 332-336). Because of the Black Death, over 20 million people died and Europe’s population decreased by nearly a third. At this point in time, life pretty much came to a halt. People were dying daily and in large numbers, while others were fleeing (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 332-336). Normal, every day life was no longer an expectation, and many felt that they were receiving God’s punishment (Levack et al., 2011, p. 336). This also lead to social upheaval as workers were scarce, goods were difficult to obtain and peasants and lords alike were facing major changes in daily operations (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 332-336).

However, the widespread devastation of the plague caused an even greater gap between nobility and peasants as they wanted to make a clear distinction between the social classes. As a result, the underclass rebelled and revolted due to the horrendous conditions they were forced to endure (Levack et al., 2011, pp.336-339). Consequently, this lead to permanent and major changes in the political and social climate of the region.

References

Levack, B., Muir, E., & Veldman, M. (2011). Chapter 11: The Medieval West in Crisis In The west: Encounters & transformations, vol I (Rev: 3). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Longman.