Then came the Crusades The Eastern search for assistance under enemy attack led to the crusades beginning in 1096

Who Started It? The conflict really erupted when the Muslim forces (Seljuk Turks) invaded and captured the city of Jerusalem

Both forces saw Jerusalem as valuable – The Christians fought to regain the city of Jerusalem because of its connection to Jesus Christ

– The Muslim forces fought to maintain control of the city because Muhammad had a past history within it

There were many people involved with the crusades: – Pope Urban II called Christians to action the first time

Western knights of different orders formed the first armies: – The Knights Templar – The Teutonic Knights – The Knights Hospitaller

But the bulk of most crusading armies involved peasants and merchants

Fighting against them were Islamic warriors (often called “Saracens”)

Altogether, the Crusades span from , Eight Crusades total

In the First Crusade, European forces took Jerusalem by force – They then established “crusader states”

– There were four official Crusader States: – 1. Jerusalem (Israel) – 2. Triopli (Lebanon) – 3. Antioch (Turkey/Syria) – 4. Edessa (Eastern Turkey)

In the Second Crusade, the Muslim forces led by Saladin attempt to regain the land

Territories lost at the end of the second crusade ----->

In the Third Crusade, a truce was called between the Muslim and Christian forces – Later crusades would never retake full control

Lasting Effects of the Crusades Thanks to the creation of early Crusader States, the Western economies grew strong with increased trade

There was also growth in the power of the Catholic Church and its role in political, economic, and military affairs

Plus, the Crusades led to the break down of feudalism by increasing the power of absolute monarchs

A Just War? The Church is criticized for its role in the Crusades Was it a “just war”? --here are the facts…

The crusades were encouraged by the current Pope (Pope Urban II) “All who die… whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission [forgiveness] of sins.”

1. The Christian nations of Europe were not the initial aggressors

The Christians were trying to regain lands which their enemy had conquered

There were instances of abuse that took place during the wars – “but an immoral action during a war does not detract from the justice of the cause of the war”