The Crusades

Goal of Crusades European Christians launched series of religious wars, Crusades, in Middle Ages Goal to take Jerusalem, Holy Land, away from Muslims Jerusalem site of Holy Temple of Jews, also where Jesus crucified, buried, was to come again Vital to Christians to control city

Muslims Control Holy Land Jerusalem in control of North African Muslims, Fatimids, late 1000s Turkish Muslims took control of Persia, other lands, persecuted Christians visiting region Turks attacked Byzantine Empire, destroyed army, 1071 Emperor turned to Western Europe, Pope Urban II, for help

The Council of Clermont Pope Urban II called church leaders to council in Clermont, France Described dangers faced by Byzantines Called on Christian warriors to put aside differences, fight against Turks Effective call to arms Hundreds of knights, nobles volunteered for Crusade Set out to meet foes with slogan “God wills it!”

The Crusades Crusaders left France in 1096 in First Crusade. In all, nine Crusades set out between 1096 and 1291 to claim or protect the Holy Land.

First Crusade Crusaders in two groups, peasants and knights Unskilled peasants answered Pope’s call Eager to fight non-Christians in Holy Land On the way attacked and slaughtered German Jews despite protests Fell to Seljuk Turkish army at Jerusalem

Knights Better trained in warfare than peasants, but unprepared for hardship of journey Traveled three years Siege of Jerusalem victory for Crusaders, disaster for city Renamed four states in Holy Land, intended to be strongholds against future Muslim conquests

Second Crusade Muslims began retaking lands lost in First Crusade Took city of Edessa, capital of one Crusader state, 1144 European leaders called for Second Crusade, launched in 1147 Second Crusade a failure, took no lands from Muslims

Third Crusade New leader arose in Muslim world, 1177 Salah ad-Din, known to Europeans as Saladin Overthrew Fatimids, took title of sultan Set out to take back Crusader states, succeeded, drove European Christians out of Jerusalem

Three Kings Richard, Philip, Frederick set out from Europe on Third Crusade Frederick was killed, Philip quarreled with Richard, returned home Only King Richard the Lion-Hearted of England fought in Holy Land

Mutual Respect Richard, Saladin admired each other as military leaders, gentlemen Made proposals for peace, including marriage alliance of Richard’s sister, Saladin’s brother; never took place because of religious differences

Fierce Fighting Richard, Saladin fought fiercely for control of Holy Land Richard won several battles, not able to drive Muslims out of Holy Land Richard could not take Jerusalem, had to return to England

Effects of the Crusades Economic Political Social

Economic Changes Historic evidence of trade between Muslims, Byzantines, Europeans prior to Crusades Crusades enhanced existing trade Returning Crusaders brought more goods, spices, textiles, to Europe Increase in trade added to changing European economy during Middle Ages

Political Changes Crusades led to deaths of many knights, nobles Lands left vulnerable Other ambitious nobles took control of unoccupied lands Nobles then had more power, influence in Europe

Social Changes Some Europeans respected other cultures, others intolerant Many viewed non-Christians as enemies, persecuted Jews Holy Land Jews saw Crusaders as cruel invaders Relations strained for centuries