Religious Crusades

Crusades= series of military campaigns to establish Christian control of the Holy Land Over the next few centuries wave after wave of peasants, soldiers, and kings would travel from Europe to the Middle East

Call for a Crusade In the early 1000s Fatimid Arabs started destroying churches and killing Christians Byzantine emperor asked Pope Urban II for help The Pope’s call – 1095 Pope Urban II called for a crusade to feel Holy Land – Defend Constantinople and liberate Jerusalem

The Crusader’s Creed – The word crusade comes from the Latin word “crux”(cross) – Crusaders sewed a cross on their clothing Faced robbers, hunger, and disease before even encountering the enemy – Knights sold estates and borrowed money to pay for the long and dangerous trip – Knights hope to gain land, wealth, honor, popularity by joining the Crusades.

The First Crusade – 150,000 people hurried to join Ragged mob of peasants Not prepared for the long journey ahead – The First Crusade was a military success – By 1099 the crusaders had captured Jerusalem

Second and Third Crusades Second Crusade – King Louis VII of France and the German emperor organized the Second Crusade – Second Crusade failed Leaders argued Crusaders were unable to gain respect because they treated local people poorly – After the Second Crusade the Muslim leader Saladin grew stronger 1187 Saladin captured Jerusalem

“Crusade of the King” – Third Crusade began in 1189 organized by the rulers of England, France, and Germany – Richard I of England “Lionheart” became leader of this crusade Won important victories and developed a courteous relationship with Saladin – Saladin and Richard signed a truce that ended the Third Crusade Christian pilgrims were free to travel Jerusalem remained in Muslim hands

Fourth and Later Crusades Looting Constantinople – 1204 crusaders stormed Constantinople – Smashed Christian icons, stole relics, and attacked women – The Byzantines never forgave the Catholics Later Crusades – 1212 the Children’s Crusade – 1291 Egyptian Muslims defeated the last crusaders

The Muslim view – Muslims were caught off guard by the First Crusade – He Muslim world was too divided politically to organize a strong defense – Muslims described their own campaigns in religious terms, as a holy war

Religious Persecutions Attacks on Jewish communities – Jewish groups were the targets of attacks in Europe – Some Europeans already considered Jews to be enemies of Christianity – Turned violence against Jews who would not convert to Christianity – Terrorized and slaughter Jewish communities along routes to the Middle East

Crusades against heretics – Heresy= a belief that is rejected by official church teaching – Heretics were excommunicated The Inquisition – 1200s Pope Gregory IX organized the Inquisition= a series of investigations designed to find a judge heretics – Heretics were punished in various ways Fasting Whipping Fines Imprisonment Execution

Effects of the Crusades Failed to force the Muslims out of the Holy Land A wider world – Europeans had traveled to lands they had never been exposed to Trade with the East – Brought trade and wealth to European port cities – Built demand for foreign goods Cultural exchange – Hygienic practices were shared – Scientific knowledge expanded