What were two ways that the black death caused change in medieval European society
1. Decline of Feudalism: The Black Death had a significant impact on the economic and social structure of medieval European society. It led to a decline in feudalism, the dominant social system of the time. As the population drastically decreased due to the plague, the labor supply decreased, and there was a shift in the power dynamics between the lords and the peasants. Landowners had to compete for labor, leading to an increase in wages and improved working conditions for peasants. This gave them more economic freedom and leverage to negotiate with landlords, and ultimately weakened the feudal system.
2. Shift in Religious Practices: The Black Death also caused a shift in religious practices and beliefs in medieval European society. The plague was widely interpreted as a punishment from God, and people turned to religion for comfort and salvation. However, the traditional religious institutions, particularly the Catholic Church, were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation or remedy for the epidemic. Additionally, many clergy died from the disease, leading to a crisis in leadership within the church. This led to a decline in trust and faith in the established religious authorities, and individuals started to explore alternative spiritual beliefs and practices. This, in turn, contributed to the rise of religious dissent and the eventual Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.