The Black Death

Things looking up…‣Early Middle Ages (6-9th C) -- collapse of civilization, a decrease in theEuropean population, and for this reason less transmission of infectiousdiseases in general‣Great surge in forestation – a natural firewall!‣Trading routes East not explored -- “in unfriendly Muslim hands”‣The “Little Optimum” 750-800…a period of global warming [vinelands inGreenland!]; conditions began to reverse themselves -- 1000-1250 thepopulation doubled. Farms thrived, good crop yields; innovations in farmingappeared --horse-collars, carruca plow blades, windmills.‣City populations exploded; forests started to get cut down; swamps drained;pastures cleared; villages erected.‣Christians began to drive Muslims out, particularly from Spain [1212]. As aresult, trade was revived and expanded.