“From Plagues to Political Turmoil: Discover the Unimaginable Struggles of Humanity’s Darkest Eras!”
In desperation, people ate things they would never normally have thought to try, like tree bark and weeds. The famine shattered the social fabric of communities as well. People turned to crime, violence, and cannibalism in the worst cases, as the struggle for survival overshadowed any sense of morality.
3. World War I (1914-1918)
In hindsight, the phrase “the war to end all wars” is almost laughable. World War I was a bloodbath that left millions dead and entire empires in ruins. The trenches became the symbol of the war, and life in them was beyond horrific. Mud, rats, gas attacks, and the constant threat of being blown to bits were all part of the daily life of soldiers.
And it wasn’t much better for civilians. Cities were bombed, economies collapsed, and the aftershocks of the war rippled far beyond the battlefield. When peace finally came, after 16 million lives were lost, the world was left to pick up the pieces of a truly devastating conflict.
4. The Year 536 AD
If you think you’ve had a bad year, spare a thought for those living in 536 AD. A massive volcanic eruption in Iceland blocked out the sun, plunging the world into the “volcanic winter.” Crops failed, famine spread, and the sun barely peeked through the thick cloud of ash for over a year.
People in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East had no idea what was happening. All they knew was that life had become a nightmare. It felt like the world was ending, and in many ways, it was. Crops couldn’t grow, and survival became a matter of sheer will.
