Black Death (1347-1351)

The Black Death — the bubonic plague pandemic transmitted via fleas on rats — killed an estimated 30 to 60% of Europe's population between 1347 and 1351, totalling approximately 25 million European deaths plus 75 million globally. Its social consequences were transformative: it triggered labour shortages that empowered peasants and contributed to the end of feudalism, accelerated religious scepticism, and funded the artistic patronage of the Italian Renaissance as survivors inherited concentrated wealth.