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        The Christians considered Palestine as the holy land, and in the 600�s the Muslims conquered it. The Arabs usually tolerated the Christians, and as long as they paid their taxes, they were able to practice their religion. However, in the 1000�s, the Seljuk Turks threatened Constantinople, and the emperor asked the pope for help. Because the Christians heard of persecution of pilgrims by the Turks, they agreed to help.

The Pope�s Call for a Crusade

Pope Urban II was willing to help conquer Jerusalem from the Muslims. In 1095, he called a Council at Clermont, and urged feudal lord t join the war against non-believers. The people received the pope�s plea openly. These people were called Crusaders, from the Latin word cruciata.

            People joined the crusades for many different reasons. The pope agreed to a crusade because he wanted the Byzantine Empire to act as a buffer zone. He also wanted to expand Roman Christianity and be united with Eastern Orthodox. He also wanted to get away from the problems he had in Europe. The Byzantines were in favor of a crusade because they wanted to remain economically independent, and wanted to keep their religion. The knights joined because they had nothing to do at home and wanted adventure. The kings wanted money, and the serfs wanted to get away from their lifestyle.

First Crusade

The first crusade lasted from 1096-1099. It was carried out by the Normans and the French. As the Crusader neared Jerusalem, they were struck by disease, death, and lack of supplies. However, they were revived when a Venetian fleet arrived with supplies and reinforcements. The crusaders were able to conquer Jerusalem and other parts in the holy land and set up Crusader States (Cultural Diffusion). When the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem, they massacred all of the non-Christians inside. They were successful because the Seljuks were too busy fighting with other Muslim caliphates.

Second Crusade

The second crusade was called after the Turks recaptured Edessa and were threatening Jerusalem. Armies were lead by French King Louis VII who wanted to maintain his lands, and German Emperor Conrad III. The two armies went separately until they met up in Damascus. Nevertheless, they were defeated.

Third Crusade

After the Muslim leader Saladin captured Jerusalem, three different king set off on a crusade. They were Holy Roman Emperor Barbarossa, Philip Augustus of France, and Richard the Lionhearted of England. On the way, Barbarossa drowns and his people turned back. Philip Augustus returned home to capture English held land in France. Richard the Lionhearted was not able to conquer Jerusalem on his own. An estimated 300,000 people died on this crusade.

Fourth Crusade

This crusade was a general crusade called by Pope Innocent III. On their way to Jerusalem, they were bribed by the Venetians to raid a Christian city called Zara. The pope got angry with the crusaders and excommunicated them, however, they continued on and raided Constantinople.

Results of the Crusades

Europeans learned a lot of things from the Crusades. They learned to use a crossbow, as well as how to use pigeons as messengers. They learned new siege tactics, and everything about gunpowder. The crusades strengthened the kings and weakened the lords. The Church was also strengthened as a result of its leadership in the Crusades. It also changed the status of women because they had to take care of the lands while the men were gone. There was also cultural diffusion between the countries involved in the crusades.

Economy was also changed. New trade routes opened up from Italy, from the places where soldiers were transported. The Europeans discovered products from the Middle East.