Merriman's History of Modern Europe: Response Question the First

7. What were the reasons for agricultural growth after the Black Death?

The Black Death in Europe managed to reduce Europe's entire population to two thirds its original size. However, after the gradual demise of this plague had entirely taken place, Europe's population began to rapidly grow again. It grew so much in this period of time that it had far surpassed its original size. I propose the de-urbanisation, that is, the mass movement of peoples from cities to rural areas to escape contamination, provided enough physical room to support a growth in population once the Black Death ceased plaguing Europeans. Merriman speculates that this growth was due to agricultural growth. After the plague subsided "plots that had been abandoned were plowed once more" (1.15, Merriman). Consequently, the inflow of agricultural workers caused the progression of agricultural technology and politics, including the "three-crop system".