Examining the aftermath of the plague: how the plague ended
While the devastating and catastrophic nature of the plague would haunt most of Eastern Europe for generations long after infections plummeted, this disaster actually precipitated some radical changes in the Eastern European region, which were long overdue.
Changes that occurred as a result of the Bubonic Plague:
The middle class, laborers, and workers experienced a massive surge in terms of empowerment due to the utter loss of population. Peasants and workers could demand higher wages and better benefits as a result. (Shattered the idea of serfdom)
Serfdom: A system of agricultural labor in which peasants (serfs) were legally owned and bound to a lord’s land. (Forced labor, rent, and taxes in exchange for protection and a small plot of land)
A general higher standard of living/quality of life: Naturally, with fewer people, land and resources were more abundant, and prices dropped significantly. Survivors of the plague often inherited land and wealth from their deceased relatives, which led to improved diets and better food sources.
Collapse of Feudalism: With labor being scarce, lords had to make compromises and concessions to keep workers satisfied, which would ultimately weaken the traditional manor system.
Feudalism: A hierarchical system in medieval Europe based on land ownership and personal loyalty, where kings and nobles granted land to vassals in exchange for military service and protection. (similar to serfdom, but feudalism refers to the entire system, where serfs were individual peasant workers.)
Massive Medical and Public Health Reform: The plague would force cities to rethink dated medical philosophies, which sparked widespread skepticism for traditional medical practices. More of a science-based, observational approach in medicine.
Genetic Adaptations/ Immunity: Those who survived the plague would carry a stronger resistance to bacteria/pathogens for future generations.
Social and Technological Changes: Social mobility between classes improved, allowing commoners to rise in status. In addition to these factors, labor shortages forced an innovative and creative approach to saving labor as a whole, which led to the development of new machines to enhance productivity.
Women's Empowerment: Women faced fewer restrictions and gained the ability to inherit property, join guilds, and operate businesses.
How did the plague end?
While the bacteria that caused the bubonic plague didn’t magically dissipate, it did subside through improved public health measures. After the invention of quarantine, along with better sanitation standards, the plague eventually abated. The improved immunity among survivors, which played a part in strengthening the collective resistance, also helped end the plague in much of Europe. Lastly, the highly controversial black rat populations were gradually replaced with the brown rat, which was less likely to interact with humans.