What was one economic effect of the Black Death?

The Black Death, which swept through Europe in the mid-14th century, had profound economic ramifications. One significant effect was labor shortages. As the plague decimated the population, a significant portion of the workforce was lost. This resulted in a scarcity of laborers available to work in various economic sectors, especially agriculture and trade.

This labor shortage led to several key outcomes: with fewer workers available, wages for laborers began to rise, as employers were willing to pay more to attract the limited pool of laborers. Additionally, this shift empowered the surviving workers, allowing some to negotiate better working conditions and opportunities. In certain cases, it even led to disruptions in the existing feudal system, as serfs and peasants sought more favorable terms for their labor.

Overall, the labor shortages created by the Black Death significantly altered the economic landscape of Europe, fostering a movement towards greater economic mobility and weakening traditional social hierarchies.