The Crusades

1095-1300’s

Conditions that made the Crusades possible for the Europeans

The beginning of the Reconquista by the Spanish noblesThe Byzantine Empire was being attacked by the Seljuk Turks and had asked Europe for helpA divided Middle East showed the possibility of “rescuing” JerusalemA growing population of young, landless European nobles

Urban II’s reason(and he is important because he was the one who started it all)

- Chance to reunite the divided Church

- Chance to increase the prestige (and power) of the Church

- Reduce the feudal warfare that was going between European nobles.

Reasons behind people joining the Crusades

Obeying God’s willPlenary indulgencePursuit of richesAcquiring their own lands instead of being given a fiefAvoiding taxes

Map for the Crusades

1st Crusade (1096)Goal- Rescue JerusalemSuccess (one of the only ones)Aftermath: Established 4 feudal states with a French feudal lord but did not last long.

2nd Crusade (1144)Goal- To recapture lands retaken by the MuslimsFailure

3rd Crusade (1189-1192) Goal- To recapture Jerusalem.Failure highlighted with the death of a German king and the capture of the English kingAftermath: King Richard of England (the Lion-hearted) managed to gain guarantees for the safety of Christians visiting Jerusalem

4th Crusade (1204)Goal- Conquer ConstantinopleFailure highlighted by the fact that there was a change of focus from Holy Quest to economic war.

1291

The last European stronghold at Acre was defeated by Saladin and the Crusades were

over.There were 9 Crusades- 5 within the last

century

Results of the CrusadesExposure of the West to new cultural and economic influences from the Middle East.Increased European interaction (positive and negative) with the rest of the WorldHelped bring about the Renaissance