Part 4/9:
While AIDS profoundly impacted modern society, the history of pandemics can be traced back to the Black Death in the 14th century, one of the deadliest pandemics attributed to Yersinia pestis, which spread via fleas on rats traveling through trade routes. This catastrophe decimated roughly one-third of Europe's population and resulted in profound societal changes, including labor shifts from feudal systems to early capitalist structures. Even amidst such destruction, new cultural and economic opportunities arose, showcasing the complex interplay of destruction and innovation driven largely by animals.