Question

question 26 (multiple choice worth 5 points)(04.01r mc)what caused the black death (1331-1351) and what was its effect on europe?unusually warm weather and increased rain caused deadly food shortages.disease spreading rats infected europeans causing the population to decline by nearly half.unusually cold weather and lack of rain caused rising grain prices.rival popes declared war causing widespread fighting and destruction across europe.

Explanation:

The Black Death was caused by the bubonic plague, which was transmitted to humans by fleas that lived on disease-carrying rats. A major documented effect of this pandemic in Europe (1331-1351) was a catastrophic population decline, with estimates showing the population dropped by nearly half in many regions. The other options describe unrelated events: weather-related food issues are not the cause of the Black Death, and rival popes' conflicts refer to the Western Schism, not the plague.

Answer:

Disease spreading rats infected Europeans causing the population to decline by nearly half.