Comparing the roles of feudalism before and after the bubonic plague, what impact did the disease have on labor and the role of peasants?(1 point) Responses decreased landownership opportunities decreased landownership opportunities reduced wages reduced wages increased social mobility increased social mobility increased reliance on nobility

1 answer

The correct answer is that the impact of the bubonic plague on labor and the role of peasants resulted in decreased landownership opportunities, reduced wages, and increased social mobility.

Before the bubonic plague, feudalism was a system where peasants worked the land owned by the feudal lords in exchange for protection and a portion of the harvest. The plague, however, caused a significant decrease in the population, leading to a scarcity of labor. As a result, peasants found themselves in a position of greater bargaining power, as there were fewer workers available. This led to increased social mobility, as peasants had more opportunities to negotiate better pay or even move to more favorable employment options.

Additionally, the reduced population meant that there was more available land for those who survived the plague. This led to decreased landownership opportunities for the feudal lords, as some peasants were able to acquire land and cultivate it for themselves. Consequently, the feudal lords had to rely less on peasant labor and more on their diminishing holdings.

Overall, the bubonic plague had a transformative effect on labor and the role of peasants by diminishing the power dynamic between lords and peasants, increasing social mobility, and reducing the dependence on nobility for labor.