The Black Death.

- Fleas bit infected rats.
- When an infected flea beat a human, it became infected (the blood).
- Symptoms:
 · Swellings on necks and armpits.
 · Black or purple spots on other parts of the body, as the nose or tips of fingers.
- 3 types of plagues:
 · Bubonic plague, spread from flea bites. One week of life.
 · Pneumatic plague, attacked the respiratory system and spread by breathing. 2 days of life.
 · A rares version attacked the blood system.
- Consequences:
 · Black death killed at least 75 million people in Europe alone.
 · Historians said it killed as many as 150 million people, 60% of the European population.

The Renaissance (art)

The Renaissance and the Reformation (introduction).

-- In the 15th and 16th centuries, a new way of understanding the world developed, called humanism.
-- Humanism focused on human values and looked bck to the classical cultures of Greece and Rome. This cange in thought led to a new cultural movement based on classical secular art called the Renaissance.
-- During this period, people began to criticise the corruption and abuses of the Catholic Church. This inresst led to a reform movement known as the Protestant Reformation. Christianity in Europe became divided between Catholic and Protestants.

The Modern Age

- In the west, the Modern Age began at the end of the 15th century and continued until the   end of the 18th century.

- Europe emerged from the crisis of the Middle Ages with new ways of thinking (humanism) and innovative ideas about art.

- An artist revolution began in Italy with the Renaissance ant then moved on to the Baroque.

- The Spanish Empire enjoyed a golden age in the 16th century, but then went into decline in the 17th century.