The Crusades

Crusades The Crusades were a series of battles between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. The Crusades were a series of battles between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. Europeans used the word “Saracens” to refer to the non-Christians Arabs, Turks, and Moors Europeans used the word “Saracens” to refer to the non-Christians Arabs, Turks, and Moors The Muslims referred to all Europeans as “Franks” The Muslims referred to all Europeans as “Franks”

How did the Crusades Start? Christians from Europe had been travelling on Pilgrimages to the Holy Land (Jerusalem) since the 2 nd century Christians from Europe had been travelling on Pilgrimages to the Holy Land (Jerusalem) since the 2 nd century In the 7 th century, Muslims and Arabs conquered the land but tolerated Christian pilgrimages In the 7 th century, Muslims and Arabs conquered the land but tolerated Christian pilgrimages In 1071 a group of hard-line Muslims called the Seljuk Turks took Palestine, and closed it off to Christians In 1071 a group of hard-line Muslims called the Seljuk Turks took Palestine, and closed it off to Christians Also threatened to invade the Byzantine Empire Also threatened to invade the Byzantine Empire

Why was Constantinople so important geographically?

Role of Church in Middle Ages Never was there a time when the Church was so powerful in Western Civilization. Never was there a time when the Church was so powerful in Western Civilization. The Church was led by popes. Priests and nuns converted, gave care to people The Church was led by popes. Priests and nuns converted, gave care to people

Monks were spiritual leaders (obviously) ‏ Monks were spiritual leaders (obviously) ‏ They lived in monasteries that acted like trade schools and YMCAs They lived in monasteries that acted like trade schools and YMCAs They also acted as local charities/hospitals They also acted as local charities/hospitals

They spent years transcribing the Bible since the printing press wasn’t used in Europe yet. They spent years transcribing the Bible since the printing press wasn’t used in Europe yet. The largest educated class; therefore, held a great deal of influence The largest educated class; therefore, held a great deal of influence This also led to a great deal of “interpretation” of the bible…but that’s another story!

Churches and Cathedrals during the Middle Ages It was illegal for any building to be higher than the local churches.

Role of Church Since there were no strong empires or kingdoms, the Church was one organization that had respect and power Since there were no strong empires or kingdoms, the Church was one organization that had respect and power Popes were more powerful than kings! Popes were more powerful than kings! This position of power was abused by many This position of power was abused by many

Europe Before the Crusades Europe was in the “dark ages” Survival and battle consumed life; no new technologies, art, or literature Life was “nasty, brutish, and short”

The Arab world was relatively peaceful and civilized at the time. An Arab gentleman was expected to be a… poet philosopher and a warrior. Jerusalem itself was a multicultural city. Jews, Muslims and Christians all lived together harmoniously. Christians on pilgrimages to Jerusalem were freely allowed across to the Holy Places The Arab World

The Muslim World Politically fragmented; made up of small, warring states in Turkey, Armenia, Anatolia, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine Politically fragmented; made up of small, warring states in Turkey, Armenia, Anatolia, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine Military superior to the Byzantine Empire Military superior to the Byzantine Empire Superior wealth, technology, science, etc. Superior wealth, technology, science, etc. Controlled most of Asia Minor Controlled most of Asia Minor Generally respected Christians as “People of the Book” Generally respected Christians as “People of the Book”

Christians and Palestine Palestine was the site of Jesus' death and resurrection Palestine was the site of Jesus' death and resurrection Home to the original “True” cross and the stone of Jesus' tomb Home to the original “True” cross and the stone of Jesus' tomb Site of the church of the Holy Sepulcher Site of the church of the Holy Sepulcher Variety of shrines Variety of shrines

Muslims and Palestine Qur'an established the claim that both Jews and Arabs are people of Abraham (prophet) ‏ Qur'an established the claim that both Jews and Arabs are people of Abraham (prophet) ‏ Believe the Holy Land was God's gift to them Believe the Holy Land was God's gift to them It was the site of Muhammad's ascension to heaven It was the site of Muhammad's ascension to heaven

Jews in Palestine Torah establishes a claim to the Holy Land because they believe it was a gift from God to Abraham Torah establishes a claim to the Holy Land because they believe it was a gift from God to Abraham King David brought an ark containing the original Torah here King David brought an ark containing the original Torah here Site of King Solomon's temple Site of King Solomon's temple

Pope Urban II Was asked to help by the emperor of the Byzantine Empire Was asked to help by the emperor of the Byzantine Empire Saw the crusades as a way to unite all of Europe’s Christians AND to increase his personal power Saw the crusades as a way to unite all of Europe’s Christians AND to increase his personal power Called on people to take up arms against the “infidel” and save the Holy Land from the “heathens” Called on people to take up arms against the “infidel” and save the Holy Land from the “heathens”

Why would one go on a Crusade? To defend the Holy Land - the “fief of God” -promised security in heaven if they fought To defend the Holy Land - the “fief of God” -promised security in heaven if they fought To escape serfdom and life on the manors – many were promised freedom and land in return for fighting To escape serfdom and life on the manors – many were promised freedom and land in return for fighting To assure status (Knights) and gain wealth from sacking the East To assure status (Knights) and gain wealth from sacking the East To strengthen the power of the monarchs To strengthen the power of the monarchs For adventure and excitement For adventure and excitement Could gain forgiveness of their sins through battle Could gain forgiveness of their sins through battle

Romanticized View of Crusaders

Crusader Armies Infantry was composed of professional soldiers, prosperous peasants, townspeople (and, in the case of the last crusade – children!!!) ‏ Infantry was composed of professional soldiers, prosperous peasants, townspeople (and, in the case of the last crusade – children!!!) ‏ Most participants were relatively wealthy, but as the crusades continued, many poor peasants were recruited and participated as a way to escape serfdom Most participants were relatively wealthy, but as the crusades continued, many poor peasants were recruited and participated as a way to escape serfdom Women did not participate in large number, but rather were financial backers Women did not participate in large number, but rather were financial backers

Crusader Warriors

The Crusades There were a total of 7 Crusades (4 sanctioned) There were a total of 7 Crusades (4 sanctioned) First Crusade began in 1059; 9 last one ends in 1272 First Crusade began in 1059; 9 last one ends in 1272 Crusaders marched to Constantinople killing and looting along the way Crusaders marched to Constantinople killing and looting along the way Crusaders take Jerusalem in 1099 Crusaders take Jerusalem in 1099 Need Second Crusade to hold it – renamed the land the “Christian States” Need Second Crusade to hold it – renamed the land the “Christian States” 1147 – Second crusade launched when Muslims retake part of the Christian States, but the Europeans failed 1147 – Second crusade launched when Muslims retake part of the Christian States, but the Europeans failed Jerusalem falls to Muslims in 1187 under the leadership of Saladin – 3 rd Crusade Jerusalem falls to Muslims in 1187 under the leadership of Saladin – 3 rd Crusade 1192: two sides call a truce – Jerusalem would remain under Muslim rule, but Christians could visit without fear of persecution 1192: two sides call a truce – Jerusalem would remain under Muslim rule, but Christians could visit without fear of persecution Fourth crusade (1202): crusaders (led by Ventians) use the crusade to attack Constantinople, a trade rival – never even made it to the Holy Land Fourth crusade (1202): crusaders (led by Ventians) use the crusade to attack Constantinople, a trade rival – never even made it to the Holy Land

The First Crusade – The Best and The Worst Thousands of knights and “barbarian” soldiers, united under Christianity, attacked Muslims and Jews in Turkey and Jerusalem to gain the land for Christians. Thousands of knights and “barbarian” soldiers, united under Christianity, attacked Muslims and Jews in Turkey and Jerusalem to gain the land for Christians.

The Jews in Jerusalem When the Crusaders entered the city, the Jews panicked and gathered in the main synagogue to pray When the Crusaders entered the city, the Jews panicked and gathered in the main synagogue to pray The Crusaders barricaded the exits and set fire to the temple, killing all inside The Crusaders barricaded the exits and set fire to the temple, killing all inside Those who escaped were massacred Those who escaped were massacred Crusaders adopted brutal methods of torture and humiliation against their “enemies” Crusaders adopted brutal methods of torture and humiliation against their “enemies”

The Carnage Continues – –When the Crusades arrived in Northern Turkey, the carnage began. Lycea was captured and looted. – –babies cut to pieces; – –old people were tortured. – –Unfortunately, most of the inhabitants of Lycea were actually Christians…(guess they should have done their homework!)

Immediate Impact of the Crusades Persecution of Jews and Muslims Persecution of Jews and Muslims Economic development via trade between the Byzantine Empire and Europe Economic development via trade between the Byzantine Empire and Europe Kings and popes gained power as a result; many Lords and Knights who posed a challenge had died in battle Kings and popes gained power as a result; many Lords and Knights who posed a challenge had died in battle

Long-Term Effects of the Crusades Exposed Europeans to new cultures Increased interest in trade and acquiring goods from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East Increased trade = economic boost for the west Weakened the feudal system – most peasants did not return to the land Introduced sophisticated aspects of Muslim culture – arts, philosophy, etc. – to the Europeans

So…. The Crusades were the first conflict between the Christian and non-Christian Worlds The Crusades were the first conflict between the Christian and non-Christian Worlds They dramatically altered the politics, economics, and social structure of Western Europe They dramatically altered the politics, economics, and social structure of Western Europe They set a precedent for inter-religious wars which continues to this day They set a precedent for inter-religious wars which continues to this day They were, ironically, the end of the Dark Ages in Europe They were, ironically, the end of the Dark Ages in Europe