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Difficulty: EasyThe Black Death and Social Change

In 13481348, the Black Death reached Britain and killed a large proportion of the population. What was a major economic result of this event that changed the social hierarchy of the Middle Ages?

  1. A shortage of labor allowed survivors to demand higher wages, contributing to the decline of the feudal system.Answer
  2. B
    The nobility gained more power by reducing the wages of the remaining peasants to keep them on the land.
  3. C
    The arrival of the plague in 14481448 caused a surplus of workers, which strengthened the existing feudal system.
  4. D
    The social structure remained unchanged because the population recovered its previous levels within a single decade.

Answer

The shortage of labor caused by the Black Death allowed surviving workers to demand higher wages, which ultimately led to the decline of the feudal system.
The correct answer identifies that the extreme shortage of labor following the 13481348 plague gave survivors significant economic leverage. Because there were fewer people to work the land, peasants could demand higher pay and move more freely, which directly challenged and eventually helped dismantle the feudal system.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the year and event
13481348: The Black Death arrives in Britain.
Setting the historical context for the demographic shift.
2
Analyze the demographic impact
One-third to one-half of the population died.
Large-scale death leads to a significant reduction in the available workforce.
3
Determine the economic consequence for survivors
Labor shortage led to higher wages.
When workers are scarce, their labor becomes more valuable, allowing them to negotiate better terms.
4
Connect to social change
Weakening and eventual decline of the feudal system.
Higher wages and increased mobility for peasants undermined the rigid hierarchy where serfs were tied to the land of the nobility.

Key Concept

Socioeconomic impact of the Black Death
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

The Black Death and Social Change

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