AIM: WHAT WERE THE PREDOMINANT OBJECTIVES OF THE CRUSADES?

JOURNAL ENTRY/DISCUSSION HOW CAN RELIGION BE UTILIZED AS AN INSTRUMENT BY THOSE IN POWER TO ACHIEVE A POLITICAL & ECONOMIC OBJECTIVE?

I. WHAT WERE THE CRUSADES? Holy Wars (11th & 12th ct.) between Christians and Muslims. Christians wanted to reclaim the holy land (Jerusalem) from the Muslims.

II. Why were the Crusades called and supported? Byzantine Emperor- Alexius Comenus asks the Pope for help. 1095- Council of Clermont : Pope Urban II issued edict that calling for Christians to unite in a war against the (Seljuk) Turks. 

Pope would become leader of the Christian world. PROFIT – promise of glory, land, and riches. Guaranteed spot in heaven; all sins forgiven if died in battle.

AIM: WHY WERE THE CRUSADES IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF HISTORY’S MOST “SUCCESSFUL FAILURES”? MOTIVATION:

AIM: WHY ARE THE CRUSADES IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF HISTORY’S “SUCCESSFUL FAILURES”?

How did the desire for more products “Although the Crusades failed to free the Holy Land, they had a lasting effect on the way Europeans lived. When crusaders returned to Europe, they brought back such things as spices, sugar, and silk. Spices were used to keep food from spoiling. Silk replaced wool in the clothing of many lords and ladies. Nobles and merchants enjoyed the new luxuries and wanted more of them.” How did the desire for more products from the East, change the medieval system of trade?

I. WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF THE CRUSADES? 8 unsuccessful Crusade campaigns over course of 2 centuries. Muslims continued to control Jerusalem.

II. WHAT WAS THE POLITICAL LEGACY OF THE CRUSADES? Weakened power of the pope, increased power of kings.

April 1204 (Fourth Crusade): Crusaders and Venetians destroyed Constantinople solidifying split between Roman and Greek church.

III. What was the social legacy of the Crusades? Women gained greater social and economic status (as they were given control of family assets and business while their husbands were off at war).

ANTI-SEMITISM – prejudice against the Jews at the hands of the Christians – Jewish businesspeople helped finance Crusades – Christians were resentful of being in debt to the Jews. Permanent bitterness between Christians and Muslims (and to an extent Jews) was forged.

IV. What was the economic impact of the Crusades? Commerce and trade between the Middle East and Europe was formulated.

CRUSADES CONCLUDING JOURNAL ENTRY 1. What were the most important results of the Crusades? 2.How have the effects of the Crusades been delineated within contemporary International politics in the Middle East?