A QUEST FOR THE HOLY LAND

The Crusades

• Crusades - a series of wars in which Christians battled Muslims for control of land in the Middle East.
• They fought over control of Jerusalem which was called the Holy Land because it was the region where Jesus had lived, preached and died
• Over the next 200 years, the Church launched eight military expeditions called the Crusades, to capture the Holy Land.

What is Islam?

• Islam is a monotheistic religion that began in city of Mecca located on the Arabian Peninsula near the Byzantine Empire
• Islam is the second largest religion in the World

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Arabian Peninsula

• The Arabian Peninsula lies near the intersection of three continents, so it is called a “crossroads” location.
• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Arabia’s location has shaped its physical features.

The Holy Land

• The Holy Land contains the city of Jerusalem and is considered holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

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Video

-Why Jerusalem matters

Pilgrims to the Holy Land

• Since about 200 AD, European Christians had been traveling to Jerusalem – city in the Holy Land sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
• Pilgrims – people who journey to a sacred place.

Rise of the Turks

• For centuries, Jerusalem had been controlled by Arab Muslims who welcomed Christian pilgrims.
• In the 1000s, the Seljuk Turks took control of the Holy Land
• Seljuk Turks were also Muslims but were not accepting of christens
• They and began attacking Christians who traveled to the Holy Land

Why Go to War??

• The Pope wanted to return the Holy Land to the Christians.
• He wanted pilgrims to be able to visit the Holy Land without attack from the Turks.
• He also wanted war because it would unite Europeans against the Muslims.
• The Crusades would also make him and the Church look better.
• Pope Urban II believed this would increase his power.

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The First Crusade

A Series of Crusades

• The pope’s best chance for capturing the Holy Land was with the lords and knights.
• Before these armies could assemble however, a group of common people set out for Jerusalem.

Peter the Hermit and the People’s Crusade

• In 1096, a group of common people led by Peter the Hermit set out for battle.
• They settled in Constantinople and were advised to wait for help. The people rebelled and attacked the Turks.
• They were defeated as only a small part of his army survived.

The First Crusade

• Pope Urban traveled to cities for nine months preaching the Crusade
• Called on Christian warriors to put aside differences, fight against Turks
• Pope Urban urged people to fight with the slogan “God wills it!”
• Hundreds of knights, nobles volunteered for Crusade
• Unskilled peasants were allowed to leave the land to answer the Pope’s call
• Eager to fight non-Christians in Holy Land

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Why Did People Volunteer To Fight

• Men tired of hopeless poverty
• Adventurers seeking action
• Merchants looking for new markets to make money $$$$
• Christians believed they would go to heaven.
• Sincerely religious individuals wanting to rescue the land of Christ

The First Crusade

• The European armies sent by Pope Urban II reached Constantinople.
• On their way to Jerusalem they Massacred Jewish communities in Europe (Germany).
• Joined by Peter’s army, the knights fought their way to Jerusalem.
• 12,000 of the original 30,000 Crusaders reached Jerusalem

The First Crusade

• After a three-year campaign, Christians captured Jerusalem in 1099
• The Crusaders went over the city walls and unleashed unbridled carnage
• Blood reportedly ran knee-deep
• 70,000 Muslims were slaughtered
• Jews were herded into synagogues and burned alive

The First Crusade

• After the battle, they set up four kingdoms
• Most of the Crusaders returned to Europe after freeing Jerusalem, creating a manpower shortage
• The kingdoms were attacked by the Muslims, causing more crusades.

Second Crusade (1147-1149)

• In 1175, Saladin brought Egypt and Muslim Syria under one rule
• In 1185, he signed a four-year truce with the Latin kingdom
• He declared a holy war against the Christians
• Muslim defeating the Christians and captured Jerusalem in 1187

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Statue of Saladin – Damascus (Place of Death)

• He was considered a very wise ruler.
• He was known for his sometimes kind treatment of fallen enemies.
• Many Christians saw him as a model of knightly chivalry.

Third Crusade (1189-1192)

• Richard The Lion Heart of England would lead the Third Crusade
• Richard did not trust the French King - Philip Augustus – Richard was afraid the French would invade England while he was gone
• Richard made Augustus and the French fight in the crusades.
• Germans also joined the fight (HRE)

Richard I, England -------- Philip II, France ----- Frederick I, Holy Roman Empire

Third Crusade (1189-1192)

• Philip Augustus returned to France, leaving Richard in sole charge of the Third Crusade
• Richard would face divisions as the German troops returned to Germany and French troops repeatedly disobeyed orders
• The unity of the Muslims had once again triumphed over the Christians

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Third Crusade (1189-1192)

• King Richard of England and Saladin eventually signed a peace treaty to stop the fighting.
• Muslims and Christians could pass freely into and from each other’s territory
• Christians could safely visit Jerusalem
• But… Jerusalem would remain in Muslim hands

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Crusades Continue Through 1200’s

• Several more crusades attempted with no victories for the Christians
• Children’s crusade, - 30,000 soldiers - many of them under 12 years old – Never made it to the Holy Land

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Results of the Crusades

• The Crusades brought important and lasting changes to Europe even though the Crusaders were never able to regain all of the Holy Land.

Results of the Crusades #1

• Weakened the power and influence of the Pope and nobles
• Strengthened the power of the monarchs

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Results of the Crusades #2

• A legacy of religious hatred & intolerance between Christians, Muslims and Jews.
• Began Jewish persecution and genocide

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Results of the Crusades #3

• Education Increased in Europe
• Europeans were exposed to Muslim math, science, literature and art.
• Rediscovery of Greek and Roman writings (Muslims preserved them too!)

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Results of the Crusades #4

• Increased Trade
• The European ships that were used to carry the Crusaders brought back important goods such as jewelry, glass, rugs, and spices.
• The increased trade helped the growth of towns.
• Spices, sugar, lemons, rugs, coffee, perfumes, silk, cotton, raisins and glass

Results of the Crusades #5

• The Crusades also encouraged the use of money.
• A money economy grew in Europe
• Peasants paid rent in $$, not labor
• Increased power of European kings
• Taxes financed Crusades
• People that far from home needed money to buy supplies.

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Results of the Crusades #6

• The Black Death