THE CRUSADESCrusade comes fromCrux: latin for cross

Lasted over 200 yearsEight wars aimed at getting Palestine back

November 18, 1095Pope Urban II

“You common people who have been miserable sinners, become soldiers of Christ! You nobles, do not [quarrel] with one

another. Use your arms in a just war! Labor for

everlasting reward.”

CAUSES1. Rise of Turks• Fatimid Dynasty treated Christians & Jews harshly,

churches destroyed• Seljuk Turks, enemy of Fatimid, gained control of

Holy Land – Turkish group from Central Asia– Became Muslim– By 1071, Turks captured much of Byzantine Empire– Took Jerusalem from Byzantines– Byzantine Emperor asked Pope Urban II: HELP!!!

2. Attacks on Pilgrims• Christians traveled to Jerusalem from A.D. 300

as pilgrims - people who journey to a sacred place

• Turks take Palestine turn pilgrims away• Attack and murder• Goes against Islamic teachings• Gives pope reason to call Christians to action

3. Land, Trade, and Wealth• Church ulterior motives:• Europeans wanted Palestine AND key trade

routes (Africa, Asia, Europe) • Palestine in key location• Church had on Byzantine empire.• Pope agrees to help emperor, but were rivals• Hopes to weaken empire & control wealthy trade

routes• European merchants jump on idea, join crusades

Crusades Begin

Peter the Hermit – ordinary man in monk’s clothing– gathered army of common men– too inexperienced– food became scarce as #s increased– crusaders looted towns, many killed when towns

fought back, became prisoners

Peter continues

(& army)

Oh, Peter. Wait for

the knights

We are too impatient!!

We rule, you drool!

Sooooooo…..Oh rats!!! Should have waited! We

lost??!! Finally! The knights have

arrived.

Boo to the knights!!• Treat Byzantines badly• Kill, loot• Take control of Jerusalem (1099)• Kill 10,000 Muslims, Christians,

Jews

This is the First Crusade

Are we done?

I think not!!

Christians create four kingdoms

Four more crusades follow (8)

Saladin rules!! Who drools?

Strong Muslim ruler named, Saladin takes

control

I’m awesome!

By 1187, Saladin takes Jerusalem.

Oh, Saladin, please return the holy city

to the Christians Oh what a

jokester you are!!

But you are an OK guy, so I’ll

let the Christian

pilgrims come visit.

Failure

• Disorganized armies• Military strength of the people of Palestine &

their desire to repel the invaders• Bad treatment of Byzantine people by the

crusaders

Results• Christians NEVER recaptured Holy Land• Increased trade• Made use of money more common– Originally traded services for land/protection– Nobles needed $ buy armor/supplies– Allowed individuals/whole towns to buy freedom– Feudalism grew weaker; money came into use

• Ships traveled Med. Sea with rugs, jewelry, glass, spices – demand increased

• TRADE GREW

Discovery-The Crusades

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