Political Effects of the Black Death

The Black Death, which swept through Europe in the 14th century, significantly weakened feudalism by drastically reducing the population. With fewer workers available, peasants gained more bargaining power, leading to demands for better wages and conditions. This shift contributed to a decline in the influence of the nobility and helped pave the way for more centralized forms of government. Additionally, social unrest grew, leading to revolts like the Peasants' Revolt in England. Ultimately, the plague accelerated changes that moved Europe toward modern political structures and diminished the old feudal hierarchies.