The Crusades A Long Tragic History

General Background The Old Roman Empire Lawless Very aggressive Divided into small kingdoms,estates, and manors Semi-Barbaric (semi- Christian Very poor lower class (serfs) Uneducated upper and lower class The Byzantine Empire Strong Central Emperor Large Barbarian (pagan) populations in the East and South Great Wealth Relatively high levels of learning and technology

Immediate Causes of the Crusade Challenges to Papal Authority (the power of the Pope) Unceasing warfare in the Old Roman Empire Defeat of a Byzantine army at Manzikert by the Muslim Seljuk tribe.

How the First Crusade Began In 1095, Pope Urban II gathered kings and nobles at Clermont, France He told the kings and nobles that Infidels (Muslims) endangered the holy places in Palestine He called on the kings and nobles to save the holy places by gathering an army and going to battle against the Infidels. He promised all who went on this crusade that their souls would be saved from damnation.

The Development of the First Crusade Two groups organized to go on crusade One was led by kings and nobles The other was led by a poor religious leader called Peter the Poor. Most crusaders went over land by way of Constantinople

The Peasants' Crusade The Peasants' Crusade killed, raped, and pillaged Jews and others on their way through Eastern Europe When the Peasants arrived at Constantinople, the Emperor, afraid of the crowd of poor, put them on boats and sent them on their way. The Peasants were destroyed by a Muslim army in what is now Turkey.

First Crusade (continued) Participants in the main crusade gathered at Constantinople As they continued south toward Palestine, some groups left to capture lands for themselves (Antioch)

The Capture of Jerusalem The remaining Crusaders captured Jerusalem in They killed all the inhabitants of Jerusalem -- men,women and children. They created a crusader capital and chose a king. The crusaders ruled in Jerusalem until 1187 when they were defeated at the Battle of Hattin.

The End of the Major Crusades Because of additional attacks by Muslims, new crusaders were sent. Richard I and Saladin were two famous opponents. The last Crusader stronghold, Acre, was captured by the Muslims in Crusaders altogether controlled Palestine for 192 years. There were later Crusades, but none were able to control the Holy Land.

How did the Crusades Change the World Crusaders sold much of their property to pay for their expenses Land changed ownership Peasants were freed from their lands to go on the Crusades New foods, medicines, and technology were brought back from the Crusades The Crusades unlocked the feudal system.

How did the Crusades Change the World The Crusades opened up trade between the East and the West. The trading nations of the West developed a merchant and business class which eventually took over from the nobles and knights. The Muslim world developed a strong suspicion of the West.