To provide food and shelter for the slum-dwelling poor
The Declaration of Independence
The Black Death begin in October 1347 in Europe. Opps. I didn't read the question correctly.
The Black Death was a horrific plague. It made people feel ill and gave people nasty black boils. The boils oozed out blood, hence the name, "Black Death". The total death were about 20 million.
Explanation: Many activists joined efforts to reform local government, public education, medicine, finance, insurance, industry, railroads, churches, and many other areas. Progressives transformed, professionalized and made "scientific" the social sciences, especially history, economics, and political science.
Hope this helps :)