The arrival of the Black Death
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the relationship between the Silk Road and the Black Death.
Key learning points
- The origins of the Black Death have only recently become clearer.
- The Black Death affected people in the Middle East, China and Central Asia as well as Europe.
- Some historians have argued that the Black Death arrived in Europe along the Silk Road.
- The Black Death killed up to half the population of Europe.
Keywords
Plague - a plague is a serious contagious disease that can kill many people
Black Death - the Black Death was the name given to a plague pandemic which occurred between 1348 and 1353
Common misconception
The Black Death only affected Europe.
European records from the time are numerous and detailed, so we have a very clear idea about the impact of the Black Death on Europe. However, the Black Death affected a large geographic area, including places without detailed records of the impact.
Teacher tip
Have students read contemporary accounts of the origins of the Black Death in order to help them gain further understanding about people's beliefs regarding its origins. Discuss with students why a lack of scientific understanding increased the fear that people had of the disease.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What ideas were exchanged along the Silk Road?
Q2.Roughly how long was the Silk Road active for?
Q3.Which disease that was transmitted via the Silk Road killed more than 200 million people in Africa, Asia and Europe in the 14th century?
Q4.Which country produced and traded silk along the Silk Road?
Q5.Which empires controlled parts of the Silk Road at different points in history?
Q6.Complete the sentence: 'trade' refers to the and of goods.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What kind of disease was the Black Death?
Q2.Which plague killed an estimated quarter of the population of the eastern Mediterranean in the 6th century CE?
Q3.What is the name of the bacteria that causes the plague?
Q4.What percentage of the population of India was killed by the Black Death?
Q5.An army from which empire brought the Black Death to Europe?
Q6.Which was the first Western European city to be afflicted by the Black Death in October 1347?
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The arrival of the Black Death, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The arrival of the Black Death, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Black Death and the Silk Road: how connected was the medieval world? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.