Following the outbreak of the plague in 1348, Britain's social structure underwent a profound transformation due to the sudden scarcity of workers. Which of the following best describes how this demographic crisis affected the relationship between laborers and landowners?
- The shortage of labor allowed surviving workers to demand higher wages, which contributed to the gradual decline of the feudal system.Answer
- BLandowners were able to significantly increase taxes on the remaining peasants to maintain their wealth, strengthening the feudal hierarchy for another century.
- CThe social crisis caused by the plague led to the immediate abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a modern democracy in 1348.
- DMost surviving workers moved to coastal towns to wait for the plague to end in 1448, causing the agricultural market to collapse across the country.
Answer
The shortage of labor allowed surviving workers to demand higher wages, which contributed to the gradual decline of the feudal system.
The correct answer is accurate because the catastrophic loss of life in 1348 created a severe labor shortage. This economic shift meant that the surviving peasants and laborers were in a much stronger position to negotiate for better pay and conditions. This empowerment directly undermined the traditional feudal structure, where serfs were bound to the land and their lords, leading to the system's eventual decline.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The economic empowerment of the laboring class following the Black Death
Estimated Time:1m 30s