1. Crusades

2. The Crusades
11th -13th Centuries European Christians carried out a series of military expeditions to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims
Great Opportunity
Alexius I asked for help against the Seljuk Turks
Pope Urban II saw a chance to provide leadership for a great cause
Cause – free Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the unbelievers (Muslims)

3. The Crusades
Urban II challenged Christians to take up weapons and join the holy war
He also promised that all who died fighting would have immediate forgiveness of their sins
Why Fight?
Religious Fervor
Seeking adventure
Gain wealth
New trading opportunities

4. The Early Crusades French Warriors Muslims begin to strike back
Three organized bands marched down the Palestinian coast and reached Jerusalem
The Holy City was taken by the French but with horrible massacres
Muslims begin to strike back
Second Crusade
Jerusalem fell back in the hands of the Muslims

5. The Early Crusades Third Crusade Led by
German Emperor Frederick
English King Richard I
French King Philip II
Frederick drowned on the way in a river
English and French arrived by sea but could not move inland
Richard negotiated a settlement that would allow Christian pilgrims free access to Jerusalem

6. The Later Crusades Fourth Crusade
Crusading army began fighting over the Byzantine throne and the city of Constantinople
The Byzantine Empire eventually regained Constantinople but their army and empire was much smaller and weaker
Is all this failing and killing going to stop the crusades?????????????

7. The Later Crusades
Nicholas of Cologne announced that God had inspired him to lead a “children’s crusade”
Thousands marched to Italy where the pope told them to go home
20,000 French children went to a port city where two ship owners agreed to take them to the Holy Land
Two ships went down in a storm
Five Ships sailed to North Africa where the children were sold into slavery

8. Crusading Impact Economic Side Effects Political
Crusades benefited the Italian port cities but the Italian merchants would have increased trade over time
Side Effects
First widespread attack on the Jews
Political
Broke down feudalism
Kings began having stronger central governments