Bloody War for the Holy Land The Crusades Bloody War for the Holy Land
Jerusalem After fall of Roman Empire 1000 Turks (Muslims) took control Controlled by Muslims (and surrounding Palestine) Jews & Christians had religious freedom 1000 Turks (Muslims) took control Closed Jerusalem from Jews & Christians Invaded Christian lands Went to Pope for help
Pope Urban II 1095 Called to reclaim Palestine (current day Israel) and Jerusalem Funded by English & French monarchies; & Holy Roman Empire Motivations: Religious Political Economic
Why? Religious: Church issue with what to do with poor “laymen” (non-clergy, no $ to live pious life = no means to reach salvation) Civil violence in Europe Refocus people on Muslims & getting Jerusalem SO – a pilgrimage would give the people a focus away from inequalities in Europe - A means of salvation - central the Pope’s power
Why: political Competition among European monarchies for land Especially in Holy Land Threat by Turks (Byzantine Empire) Consolidate to “protect” Christendom Join forces with Catholic Church
Why? Economic Gain access to Islamic markets & Far East trade routes New goods New markets to sell European goods Get Constantinople = center of trade routes
What happened? First Crusade: 1096 - 1099 Trek to Holy Land Red Cross on tunics 10k Knights 50k Soldiers Won 3 feudal kings Antioch Tripoli Edessa
2nd Crusade: 1147-1149 Too dependent on Europe for $$ Constantly needed reinforcements
3rd Crusade: 1191 Fallen to Muslim forces under Saladin Richard the Lionhearted was great warrior king of England Not able to regain Jerusalem Ended in treaty with Saladin Okay for Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem
End of Crusades Like a business cycle – up and down 1271-1291: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th 1271-1291: Muslim leader Baybars ended Crusader kingdoms were weak
result Didn’t gain or hold Islamic territories BUT increased European and Islamic influences Culture Economy i.e. - spices Philosophy - agriculture Astronomy - coffee Mathematics - granulated sugar Science - silk Encouraged exploration - Cotton
More impacts Decline of Byzantine Empire Rise of Ottoman Turks and Russia Power of Catholic Church grew (bigger than any other religion) European commercial ventures in Middle East $ back to Italian peninsula Birth of Renaissance European contact with Asia and Africa Exploration More impacts
Green: Crusades