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Alexander Larcheveque Ap Euro August 18, 2011 Mrs. Clark European Disaster Europe endured great hardships in the fourteenth century. It is a miracle that Europe is still booming today. In the fourteenth century, many European states faced great disaster and war, and the decline of the church greatly hurt European states. These states included France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire. In 1315, small drops in temperature created the little ice age. Heavy rains and serious food shortages caused extreme hunger and starvation. It killed around 10% of the population during the first half of the fourteenth century. This famine led to malnutrition, low birthrates, and prone to disease. Right after the little ice age came the most devastating natural disaster in history: The Black Death. The Black Death was a bubonic plague that was spread by black rats infested with fleas. The fleas carried Yersinia pestis, a deadly bacterium. In France and England, about 30% of the population died from this deadly plague. Entire villages disappeared from this deadly Black Death. The Black Death caused extreme psychological reactions, from flagellants to pogroms; many thought God had caused this. In 1259, King Henry III had abandoned his claims to all the French territories except one, Gascony. This territory caused many disputes between France and England. In France, there were also fights on who should be king next, because King Phillip IV didn t have a male heir. Edward of England refused to pay his service with Phillip IV, and the French king seized the duchy. Edward responded by declaring war on Phillip IV, and the Hundred Years War started. England started winning the war with its longbow men, who shot more

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rapidly than the crossbow men. As much more fighting continued, Joan of Arc inspired the French army and won the war. Many people died, and both England and France suffered great setbacks. Another hardship that Europe faced was the decline of the church, the Great Schism. After Pope Gregory XI died, the citizens of Rome threatened that the cardinals would not leave unless a Roman or at least an Italian were elected Pope. Urban was elected, but the people said that the election was null and void. The cardinals then chose another pope, Clement VII. There were now two popes, and loyalties soon became divided. The Great Schism lasted for nearly forty years and had great effect on finances and faith. In 1417, the general council finally elected Cardinal Oddone Colonna, as Pope Martin V. The Great Schism finally ended, but with major damage. As you can see, Europe faced many hardships in the fourteenth century. Although it was very difficult to go through, Europe conquered the hardships. Facing disasters, war, and the falling of the church, Europe moved through the hardships and became a great country, as it is now.