1. The Crusades

2. Goal of Crusades
European Christians launched series of religious wars, Crusades, in Middle Ages
Goal to take Jerusalem, Holy Land, away from Muslims
Jerusalem site of Holy Temple of Jews, also where Jesus crucified, buried, was to come again
Vital to Christians to control city

3. Muslims Control Holy Land
Jerusalem in control of North African Muslims, Fatimids, late 1000s
Turkish Muslims took control of Persia, other lands, persecuted Christians visiting region
Turks attacked Byzantine Empire, destroyed army, 1071
Emperor turned to Western Europe, Pope Urban II, for help

4. The Council of Clermont
Pope Urban II called church leaders to council in Clermont, France
Described dangers faced by Byzantines
Called on Christian warriors to put aside differences, fight against Turks
Effective call to arms
Hundreds of knights, nobles volunteered for Crusade
Set out to meet foes with slogan “God wills it!”

5. The Crusades Crusaders left France in 1096 in First Crusade.
In all, nine Crusades set out between 1096 and 1291 to claim or protect the Holy Land.

6. First Crusade Crusaders in two groups, peasants and knights
Unskilled peasants answered Pope’s call
Eager to fight non-Christians in Holy Land
On the way attacked and slaughtered German Jews despite protests
Fell to Seljuk Turkish army at Jerusalem

7. Knights
Better trained in warfare than peasants, but unprepared for hardship of journey
Traveled three years
Siege of Jerusalem victory for Crusaders, disaster for city
Renamed four states in Holy Land, intended to be strongholds against future Muslim conquests

8. Second Crusade Muslims began retaking lands lost in First Crusade
Took city of Edessa, capital of one Crusader state, 1144
European leaders called for Second Crusade, launched in 1147
Second Crusade a failure, took no lands from Muslims

9. Third Crusade New leader arose in Muslim world, 1177
Salah ad-Din, known to Europeans as Saladin
Overthrew Fatimids, took title of sultan
Set out to take back Crusader states, succeeded, drove European Christians out of Jerusalem

10. Three Kings
Richard, Philip, Frederick set out from Europe on Third Crusade
Frederick was killed, Philip quarreled with Richard, returned home
Only King Richard the Lion-Hearted of England fought in Holy Land

11. Mutual Respect
Richard, Saladin admired each other as military leaders, gentlemen
Made proposals for peace, including marriage alliance of Richard’s sister, Saladin’s brother; never took place because of religious differences

12. Fierce Fighting
Richard, Saladin fought fiercely for control of Holy Land
Richard won several battles, not able to drive Muslims out of Holy Land
Richard could not take Jerusalem, had to return to England

13. Effects of the Crusades
Economic
Political
Social

14. Economic Changes
Historic evidence of trade between Muslims, Byzantines, Europeans prior to Crusades
Crusades enhanced existing trade
Returning Crusaders brought more goods, spices, textiles, to Europe
Increase in trade added to changing European economy during Middle Ages

15. Political Changes Crusades led to deaths of many knights, nobles
Lands left vulnerable
Other ambitious nobles took control of unoccupied lands
Nobles then had more power, influence in Europe

16. Social Changes
Some Europeans respected other cultures, others intolerant
Many viewed non-Christians as enemies, persecuted Jews
Holy Land Jews saw Crusaders as cruel invaders
Relations strained for centuries