What catastrophic event significantly affected Europe from 1347 to 1351?

The event that significantly affected Europe from 1347 to 1351 was the Black Death, which is also known as the Bubonic Plague. This devastating pandemic resulted in the death of an estimated one-third to one-half of Europe's population. The Black Death spread rapidly through trade routes and cities, leading to widespread social, economic, and cultural upheaval.

Its impact was profound, leading to labor shortages that shifted the balance of power between workers and landowners, changes in land use, and even a questioning of traditional authorities and their ability to manage crises. The sheer scale of mortality led to significant changes in society, including shifts in religious beliefs and practices, as many sought explanations for the disaster, often turning to superstition or blaming groups such as Jews.

In contrast, while the Great Famine occurred earlier, from 1315 to 1317, it did not have the same catastrophic death toll or societal impact as the Black Death. The Spanish Flu was a pandemic that occurred in 1918-1919, long after the medieval period, and the Thirty Years' War was a protracted conflict occurring from 1618 to 1648, primarily affecting central Europe. Therefore, the Black Death is correctly identified as the catastrophic event that