1. The Crusades & The Reconquista

2. The Crusades
Religious wars primarily between Roman Catholics and Muslims; Pope Urban II sent thousands of knights to fight. Why?
Primary goal: To free the Holy Land
Remove Muslims from Jerusalem
Religious Zeal
Christian knights fight Muslims instead of each other

3. Victories and Defeats
1st Crusade was most successful: captured Jerusalem (eventually falls to Muslims)
3rd Crusade- tried to retake Jerusalem; failed
4th Crusade- Ended in defeat by Muslims

4. Effects of the Crusades
Trade increased
Power of monarchs increased
Papal power at its greatest height
Wider world view: people began to travel far-off places

5. Reconquista in Spain
Campaign to take over Muslim lands and drive the Muslims from Spain
By 1300, Christians controlled the entire Iberian Peninsula except for Granada (Muslim stronghold)

6. Ferdinand and Isabella
Two rulers from two powerful kingdoms- were able to complete Reconquista
Granada falls, 1492
Ended policy of religious toleration in Spain

7. Learning during the Middle Ages
Scholasticism- Tried to resolve conflict between faith & reason; used reason to support Christian beliefs
Thomas Aquinas: wrote Summa Theologica, examined Christian teachings in the light of reason

8. Medieval Literature Dante Alighieri- Famed Italian poet
Wrote Divine Comedy; summarizes Christian ethics
Geoffrey Chaucer
Wrote The Canterbury Tales
Reveals a lot about medieval life

9. Medieval Architecture
Towering stone cathedrals symbolized wealth & religious devotion
Flying Buttresses- Stone supports that stood outside the church