Final answer:
The Dancing Plague of 1518 was a phenomenon where people danced uncontrollably, reflecting psychological stress in a society previously traumatized by the Black Death pandemic caused by Yersinia pestis, leading to significant population losses and social changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Dancing Plague of 1518 is a historical event rather than a biological plague like the Black Death. It occurred in Strasbourg, Alsace (now France), where a woman began dancing fervently in the streets, and within a month, dozens of others joined her. The phenomenon has been subject to various interpretations, including religious and medical perspectives. It reflects the late medieval period's psychological stress in European societies, which were previously ravaged by the Black Death in the 14th century. The Black Death, or bubonic plague, was a devastating pandemic caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, resulting in massive casualties throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the wake of such epidemics, social structures were challenged, including the authority of the Catholic Church, which was questioned due to the inability to prevent the widespread mortality. This period also witnessed an upsurge in attacks on minorities, blamed for the spread of the disease. Notably, social changes and scientific advancements emerged as the medieval society transitioned into the Renaissance.