Question

Which of the following was an unexpected benefit of the bubonic plague?

	a.	It resulted in a better understanding of aseptic practices and how to prevent the spread of infection.
	b.	The population decline enabled the cultural advancement of the Renaissance.
	c.	The population of Europe experienced a baby boom.
	d.	There was no benefit to the bubonic plague.

Answer 1

Bubonic plague is also known as the “Black Death” which was a much feared infection that spread quickly and killed millions in a very short time. It is thus considered to be one of the deadliest diseases in the human history.

It is a bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis, a rod-shaped bacterium that affects an individual’s immune system. These bacteria are carried by mammals like rodents, rabbits, squirrels, and their fleas. The affected individual develops painful swollen lymph nodes which commonly appears on the groin, armpit, or neck. This eventually moves to lungs (pneumonic plague) and it is at this stage that the disease gets passed on to others through droplets in the air coughed from an infected person.

It is believed that Black Death saw its arrival in Europe in the year 1348 which killed quarter to half of the population by its withdrawal in the year 1350. It struck again periodically until the 18^th century.

Primary cause of the plague is believed to be trade. Extensive trade occurred during this time between east and west Europe which also gave way to the parasites that was mainly carried by rodents. Some historians also believed that the bacterium travelled from China and invaded the West.

The pandemic resulted in the death of half of European population. Deaths impacted the society in a profound way which caused sorrow, hostility, remorse, and greed among the survivors leading to intense violent eruptions. This greatly affected human relationships and also caused social, religious, and political turmoil.

People were not knowledgeable or were not able to comprehend and understand the spread of infection during those times. Hence, understanding of aseptic practices and how to prevent the spread of infection is not an unexpected benefit of bubonic plague.

Option a is incorrect.

Half of the population of Europe got erased away as a result of bubonic plague and did not experience baby boom.

Hence, option c is not correct.

Bubonic plague did have benefit that changed the world greatly.

Hence, option d is not correct.

Death of a huge number of people resulted in the accessibility of vacant lands for the survivors. The survivors thus were able to occupy these lands which were once inhabited by others. This changed the structure and essence of the society as a whole. It dissolved the rigid hierarchical structure of the society and diffused the divide between the rich, the poor, the class, caste, etc. This in turn gave way to social and economic upheaval. It is thus one of the prime factors that enabled the cultural advancement of Renaissance. People started migrating and spreading their trade and culture to other regions, leading to huge transitions.

Therefore, the correct answer is option b.