The Black Death

Bubonic plague kills 30-60% of Europe's population, reshaping the continent's economy, religion, and social structure permanently.

Originating in Central Asia and spreading along Mongol trade routes, the plague devastated Europe. The massive population decline gave surviving laborers unprecedented bargaining power, weakened feudalism, and shook faith in the Church.

Perspective

The Black Death was horrible beyond imagination, but it was also arguably the single biggest catalyst for ending feudalism. When half your workers die, the survivors can demand better terms. The labor shortage after the plague did more for peasant rights than any revolution.