The Crusades

1096 AD Begins—but lasts for over 200 years Christians battled Muslims for control of lands in the Middle East Ultimately, this shows Medieval Europeans that the world was larger than they ever dreamed—which sped up changes in European society

1050 AD Western Europe was in a period of isolation (while most others were thriving) Islamic civilization stretched from Spain to India—and began spreading even farther

1050 AD: In the Americas Maya were clearing areas of the rainforest to build cities with temples Native Americans were building in South America American civilizations remained relatively isolated from others

Byzantine Empire Formerly the eastern Roman empire By 1071, Seljuk Turks invaded the empire and overran most of the Byzantine lands in Asia Minor (Turkey)

Seljuk Turks Extended power over the Holy Land (Jerusalem) and other places where Christians believed Jesus lived and preached Palestine Ultimately, this prevented Christian pilgrims from traveling to the Holy Land

Call for Help Byzantine emperor, Alexius I, asked Pope Urban II for Christian knights to help fight Muslim Turks Even though popes/emperors were rivals—he agreed

Call to War: 1095 Council of Clermont—Urban called bishops and nobles into action Crusaders would be granted “…remission for all sins.”

“God Wills It” Was chanted by the assembly By 1096, thousands of knights were on their way to the Holy Land Ordinary men and women went too

Why? Salvation Escape troubles at home Adventure Treasure/wealth ……..but few returned

Motives of the Pope: Increase power Heal the split in the Church (east/west) Hoped that Christians would fight Muslims instead of each other

The First Crusade Only crusade that came close to success Christians capture Jerusalem in 1099 (long & bloody campaign) Killed Muslims and Jews in the city

Crusader States Crusaders conquered land and divided it into 4 states Muslims sought to destroy these states Thus, Europeans launched new crusades

A Losing Battle Over 200 years fighting (off and on) 1187—Jerusalem fell to the Muslims (led by Saladin) 3rd Crusade = Europeans failed to retake Jerusalem But, Saladin did reopen the Holy City to Christian pilgrims

Other Crusades Europeans mounted crusades against other Muslim lands (esp. North Africa) Crusaders defeated

4th Crusade Crusaders fought other Christians—looted the Byzantine Empire

“Children’s Crusade” Boy has a vision to convert Muslims to Christianity in the Holy Land Gains following of about 30,000 children Leads toward the Mediterranean Sea

“Children’s Crusade” LEGEND? Many died Sold into slavery Killed Disease/exhaustion LEGEND?

Impact Legacy of religious hatred Increased speed of changes for European society Economy expanded Increased the power of monarchs (who collected taxes to pay for the crusades) Gained a view of a “larger” world

Marco Polo 1271—set out for China Stayed in China for many years Returned to Venice & wrote a book Many doubt he was ever in China ~ Government run mail service?? ~ black stones to heat homes??

Crusades Map