1340's AD - finding a new world, and the Black Death?

This is an idea I had while eating lunch and reading a Smithsonian magazine.

Imagine in the early 1340's ships from Europe reaching parts of North America and returning with evidence, including people. News and rumors of this new world spreads throughout Europe, more or less. More ships sail west and return, with people, animals, and plants. Then the historical Black Plague strikes on schedule. Those Europeans who survive put two and two together and decide that the Black Plague came from that new world across the Atlantic.

What does this do for further European attempts to sail west? How long till Europeans decide to take another look at the new world?

A big historical change is that Europeans (and others) know there is another land across the Atlantic. Hmm, would they think it is China/Cathey? If so, will the search for a sea route to China not be pursued?
 
That's silly. We all know Jews and their agents, the lepers, caused the plagues. Are you telling me the Jews and lepers made it to the New World?!
 
If it came from the new world wouldn't they wonder why the Arabs had it first, and then the people to trade with them, and then the western areas sailing to the new world?
 
IOTL's Europeans had a pretty good idea where the plague came from geographically, so, not much of a chance. Though maybe they decide it's divine punishment for hubris sailing out beyond the edge of their world.

The bigger problem will be that with population pressures down and demand for labour up, why would they want to go back there? What did they find? If it's fisheries and local natives, that'll likely be the end ofthat. If it's brasilwood or gold, there's still a chance the contact will be maintained at higher cost.
 
I think this relies on Europeans being remarkably stupid even for the Middle Ages. It would have been obvious just from first-hand accounts that cities had been infected going from east to west, so if Western Europeans discover the Americas I don't think this theory is going to go anywhere.
 
Well, no one wants to risk the long DANGEROUS journey west when so few can stay alive At Home, so the plague would be a distraction so big, it would make the American news broadcasters jealous.
 
so what if they see it as punishment from God destroying their old world and in panic they have mass exodus to the new world?
 
Regarding the east to west spread of the plague, I have an idea about that. A delegation from the new world arrives in Rome around the time that the plague is breaking out.

The plague may spread to North America. Will it spread as easily there as in Europe? Would an infected crew be able to sail that far?
 
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