Black Death Dbq Analysis

The Black Death, which started in 1348 and spread all over Europe, especially the cities of Manchester and London in England. Many issues arose in these societies over time. The bad health conditions, decrease in population, and the opening of job opportunities, all due to the plague, were both negative and positive issues that led to the industrialization and modernization of these cities. The rapid population growth in Manchester and London caused the the health conditions to become more unsafe, which led the Black Death to spread all among its citizens. There were many reasons as to why the living conditions were so unsanitary and why it was so easy for disease to spread. For example, the streets and housing were overflowing with people, which led to the overcrowding of these cities, especially the cities of Manchester and London. They had to build more buildings and homes to house more people. The houses were crammed
“People live longer because they are better fed, better lodged, better clothed and better attended in sickness, and these improvements are owing to the increase in national wealth which the manufacturing system has produced.” (Thomas B. Macauley, document 3) The Black Death was the leading cause of the decrease in birth rates. Birth rates declined because of the unsanitary and unhealthy conditions. Many people lived in small houses because they needed room for others to live in the overcrowded city, which made it harder for women to properly shelter their babies. Women refrained from having children because they might not been able to take care of them properly. The children were much more vulnerable to sickness and became sicker faster because they were so underdeveloped. The environment was so poor that the surroundings hindered the growth and development of the