Alicia Powell

Mr. Carroll
National History Day
391-04
1/4/16

Powell, 1

National History Day Process Paper

National History Day, a dedication to every piece of history that lies in the fabric of time. For
years, young minds with the love of history have put together presentations of all sorts to
commend history to specific topics. Pertaining to this years topic of Exploration, Encounter,
and Exchange, dedicated research to the Black Death, a deadly plague that spread through 14th
century Europe, seemed to be in order. Personally, this topic of one simple cause leading to mass
death and despair struck interest in epic proportions, fueling ideas to use this topic. After
selecting the topic, the research and decorating an informative website seemed to fall into place.
In search of finding relatable facts to the selected topic, four sites came across that aided the
finished product. In the video posted on History.org, information further explaining the official
causes of the Plague, while also giving insight on the types of the Plague that these people could
have infected with, was given. While looking into the journal reports from a man who goes by
the name, Joan of Arc, a general statement of how life was during the plague was pretty
straightforward: life was worse than death. Generally, the other sites gave similar insight on the
plague and symptoms that follow: fever, swelling, and varieties of ways the bacterium works its
way into your body.
Based on last years presentation of Thomas Edison and his influential inventions, the option
to choose a website seemed not only easy, but more so connects to todays use of technology.
With a few insertions of pictures, and a short video contributing to a childhood favorite song that
actually dedicates to the topic, the projects completion was achieved. According to the research
found, I analyzed the text given and paraphrased a good portion of the project. Surely, quotes

wouldve been effective, but personal input, given that this is a personal project was found to be
efficient.
Overall, the Black Plague contributed to this years theme in its entirety. The Black Death
spreading through Europe incorporates to the idea of Exchange in this years theme. People, rats,
and even fleas began to spread the disease further. Those 12 Genoese ships reaching the docks of
Europe, starting the infestation, was an act of Exploration, prior to this years theme as well.
Like the disease began to explore its way through Europe, the very cause of it all began with a
simple act of exploration. Starting with those poor people that came to greet the ships at the
docks, only to see the horror of the sailors dead or dying, is seen today as an Encounter, which
also is infused with this years topic. In addition to the people greeting the ships, people who had
died of the plague also encountered the plague as well.

Works Cited Page

1. Ribowsky, Shiya. "Black Death." History.org. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 12
Nov. 2015.
2. Arc, Joan. Journal Entries from the Black Death. Richland.k12.wi.us/. Richland
Networks, 2015. Web.12 Nov. 2015.

3. Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Plague." Symptoms. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research, 26 Mar. 2013. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

4. "The Black Death: Bubonic Plague." The Black Death: Bubonic Plague. The Middle
Ages.net, 2011. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
Quotes per Source
1. They know that the bacillus travels from person to person pneumonically, or through
the air, as well as through the bite of infected fleas and rats.
2. The Italian writer Boccaccio said its victims often "ate lunch with their friends and
dinner with their ancestors in paradise."
3. Joan of Arc: And when I die I want to be buried next to my family because they died
from the same thing I am!!!!
4. Plague is divided into three main types bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic
depending on which part of your body is involved.