During the 14th century, the black death became a widespread epidemic primarily because of
1) the resurgence of trade
2) chinese overseas exploration
3) european colonial policies
4) new agricultural practices

During the 14th century, the Black Death became a widespread epidemic primarily because of 2) Chinese overseas exploration. More specifically, the Black Death was spread through the Silk Road, because it started on the plains of Central Asia and was brought back to Europe, where it lived off rats that would go on merchant ships all around the continent. The Black Death massively reduced the European population by up to about sixty percent.