Analysis of Bubonic Plague - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Due to the severity and intolerableness of its effects, this plague was considered as a lethal cause of death. The origins of this plague are associated with the East and a rapid spread is acknowledged all around Europe. The plague resulted in a diminishment of entire communities and a lack of resources and manpower to deal with the bodies was also accounted (HistoricUK). This paper will analyze the situation of England by considering social, economic, religious and political grounds during that era. Political Factors The most devastating era for London was during 1563 when the death rate due to the bubonic plague reached its peak. Approximately 80,000 deaths were reported and further analysis reveals almost 1000 weekly death in August 1600 weekly in September and 1800 in October (Miller & Orr). As a result of frequent death reports, people started to migrate from London. The elite class had no issues escaping the infectious plague and left the premises of London easily. Like many other accounts, poorer families and the financially unsound population were left to die. Queen Elizabeth also fled without paying heed to the people left behind. The political powers, yet again, seemed to support the privileged rich families with no regard given to the humanity and precious lives of poor people. This was not the end of Elizabeth’s political power and justice, she further passed a law to hang any person who enters from London. This justice was not to protect anyone except her own life. The restrictions on imports were also imposed to protect herself from the deadly plague. However, the plague still prevailed and crossed the borders without paying heed to Elizabeth’s orders and laws in 1578. Elizabeth took a rather realistic step and physicians were directed to find cures and prepare preventions for the plague diseases. Economic Factors The economic condition of England was greatly affected by the Plague. Almost half of the London population died due to the devastating effects and ultimate demise of the victims. The poorer labor force was affected the most as this class could not flee or escape the horrifying effects of the plague. The high death rate of the labor class resulted in the shortage of labor force in England. This resulted in high pay demands of labors and landowners were forced to move towards money rents and dodge high labor costs. In addition, farming was replaced with grazing practices which needed fewer workforces. The peasants remained privileged due to high wage rates, as long as the rulers or elite class did not put hands on the state’s funds for their personal expenditures and motives. In order to overcome the labor availability issues at reasonable rates and curb the power of labor class, the political step was taken with the fixation of wage rate. The migration, in addition, was prohibited to keep the labor facilities available for their own needs. These steps created a negative attitude of the workforce and the rise of Priests’ Revolt is often associated with these political actions taken during the plague period. Religious Factors The Plague appeared for unknown reasons and the indistinct reasons led to chaos in the minds of the people regarding the underlying reasons for its spread.   ...Download file to see next pagesRead More