The Black Death, perhaps one of the worst epidemics in history, struck Europe in the mid-14th century, killing an estimated 20 million people. This major population shift, along with other disasters that occurred at the time, such as famine and an already existing economic recession, plunged Europe into a dark period of complete turmoil. Anarchy, psychological breakdowns and dissipation of Church power were some of the results. As time passed, however, the company managed to find new ground and began its long recovery journey. The plague, however catastrophic it was for medieval Europe, had as many positive effects with this recovery as its previous negative ones. The end of feudalism, rising wages and innovation, the idea of ​​separation between church and state and attention to hygiene and medicine are just some of the positive things that came after the plague. It could also be argued that the plague had a significant impact on the beginning of the Renaissance. One of the most important results of the Black Death is the end of feudalism. The workforce was so scarce that workers could refuse to work, demand wages, and aristocrats had no choice but to listen. Peasant revolts in France and England also played an important role in the end of feudalism. The French government, in an attempt to pay England a ransom for the return of its king, increased tax rates on French residents. Peasants of the time felt the government was weak, and the increased taxes infuriated them, resulting in a rebellion that became known as the Jacquerie. Similar events took place in England a generation later. In 1381, peasants rebelled against high tax rates and wage freezes by marching on London and... middle of paper... pharmacology became a common medical practice and experimentation. Inspired by the printing press, medical books began to be written. The years following the plague gave way to modern medicine. It cannot be argued that the Black Death was harmful to every aspect of European communities. It was a powerful epidemic that exterminated a third of the continent's population. Amidst all her terror, however, positive side effects showed up. Some of these effects included revolutions in church and society, which eventually led to the separation of church and state. Feudalism was also challenged as peasants demanded wages and rebelled. Along with social changes came technological innovations, new inventions and a focus on hygiene and the beginnings of modern medicine. The plague may have devastated Europe, but it also ushered in a new era.