D266 Task 2
A1. Describe the cause(s) of the Black Death
The Black Death was caused by a strain of Yersinia Pestis. Y. Pestis was likely
spread from animal-insect-human transmissions. Y. Pestis spreads through the
lymphatic system to lymph nodes, causing a series of fever, chills, weakness,
nausea and headaches. It causes organ failure, internal and subcutaneous bleeding,
and dark blotches below the surface of the skin. (WGU, 2022)
A2. Explain how humans contributed to the spread of the Black Death
Humans contributed to the spread of the Black Death through trade. Most
historians agree that Y. pestis was carried out of Central Asian highlands through
flea-infested animal furs carried down the Silk Road. The Silk Road was a network of
land and sea trade routes that linked Europe and East Asia. (WGU, 2022)
A3. Describe the response(s) to the Black Death
Christians believed that the Black Death was punishment for sin. Marrero
Villani, a Christian writer, theorized that the pandemic was God’s way of showing his
final disapproval of man’s sinful nature. They believed that the only weapon to use
in defense of the plague was prayer and penance. (WGU, 2022)
B1. Describe the cause(s) of the 1918 influenza pandemic
The cause of the 1918 influenza pandemic was due to H1N1 being passed
through droplets either by physical touch or through the air. This began in Europe
during WW1, first coming from birds, then to pigs, then to humans. It spread from
Europe to the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Asia in three waves between 1918
and 1919. (WGU, 2022)
A1. Describe the cause(s) of the Black Death
The Black Death was caused by a strain of Yersinia Pestis. Y. Pestis was likely
spread from animal-insect-human transmissions. Y. Pestis spreads through the
lymphatic system to lymph nodes, causing a series of fever, chills, weakness,
nausea and headaches. It causes organ failure, internal and subcutaneous bleeding,
and dark blotches below the surface of the skin. (WGU, 2022)
A2. Explain how humans contributed to the spread of the Black Death
Humans contributed to the spread of the Black Death through trade. Most
historians agree that Y. pestis was carried out of Central Asian highlands through
flea-infested animal furs carried down the Silk Road. The Silk Road was a network of
land and sea trade routes that linked Europe and East Asia. (WGU, 2022)
A3. Describe the response(s) to the Black Death
Christians believed that the Black Death was punishment for sin. Marrero
Villani, a Christian writer, theorized that the pandemic was God’s way of showing his
final disapproval of man’s sinful nature. They believed that the only weapon to use
in defense of the plague was prayer and penance. (WGU, 2022)
B1. Describe the cause(s) of the 1918 influenza pandemic
The cause of the 1918 influenza pandemic was due to H1N1 being passed
through droplets either by physical touch or through the air. This began in Europe
during WW1, first coming from birds, then to pigs, then to humans. It spread from
Europe to the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Asia in three waves between 1918
and 1919. (WGU, 2022)
