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Black Death's Toll: 100 Million Lives Lost, Social Upheaval

4/8/2026

33 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Historian Thomas Asbridge states the Black Death killed about 100 million people between 1346 and 1353.
The plague affected regions beyond Europe, from Africa to the Middle East.
Asbridge notes social consequences, including the persecution of Jews, with tens of thousands killed.
Labor shortages from the pandemic contributed to the end of serfdom and may have influenced the Protestant Reformation.

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Story summary

Historian Thomas Asbridge states the Black Death killed about 100 million people between 1346 and 1353.
The plague affected regions beyond Europe, from Africa to the Middle East.
Asbridge notes social consequences, including the persecution of Jews, with tens of thousands killed.
Labor shortages from the pandemic contributed to the end of serfdom and may have influenced the Protestant Reformation.