Download the Crusades

THE CRUSADES
Palestine- holy land for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. During late 1000’s the Seljuq Turks (Central Asia)
took control of Palestine.
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Turks attacked Asia Minor (Byzantine Empire) and threatened the Byzantine capital of
Constantinople
Christians who lived in Palestine had reported persecution on behalf of the Turks
Emperor of the Byzantine Empire requested the help of Pope Urban II
Pope Urban II was eager to fight the Muslims and regain the “Holy Land” (Palestine)
1095- Pope met with clergy members and feudal lords in Clermont, France. Pope “Wear the cross of
Christ on their right shoulder and with one voice cry out ‘God wills it!’”- marked beginning of the
Crusades
Crusades- military expeditions to regain Palestine (Holy Land)
10K Europeans embarked on the fight to reclaim Palestine on behalf of the Catholic Church
1st Crusade- 1096-1099
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French and Italian lords led armies of crusaders from Europe to Constantinople
Europeans saw the Crusades as a chance at adventure, and spiritual and material award
European crusaders captured Antioch despite suffering from the heat and malnourishment
Crusaders marched on to Jerusalem, where after a series of battles, they captured the city and
slaughtered its Muslim and Jewish inhabitants (quotes pg. 320)
Much of the holy land was now under European control.
Europeans established customs and institutions that were similar to life back in Europe (feudalism,
vassals, fiefs, etc.)
European Christians held onto Palestine for nearly 100 years after the 1st Crusade. Turks slowly began
to win back the land; Popes and European rulers attempted to stop them with 3 more Crusades
2nd Crusade- 1146- 1149
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By 1147 the Turks had taken back several cities that the crusaders captured
King Louis XVII of France and Conrad III of Germany led armies across Europe; joined forces in
Damascus (N of Jerusalem) but did not recapture the city from the Turks
3rd Crusade- 1189-1192
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In 1187 Saladin (Muslim leader) took control of Jerusalem
Frederick Barbarossa of H.R.E, Philip II of France, and Richard I of England led 3 armies
Barbarossa drowned on the way to the Holy Land; his army turned back to Europe
Philip took his army back to seize English lands in France
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Richard entered into a truce with Saladin; crusaders received some towns along Palestinian coast
4th Crusade- 1202
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Pope Innocent III gathered French knights for the fourth crusade
Crusaders attacked Zadar, a rival city of Venice, Italy. Zadar was a Christian city, so those who
attacked it were excommunicated by Innocent III
1204; Venetians looted Constantinople, another Christian city
Byzantines regained Constantinople, but never regained strength; captured by Turks in 1453
Children’s Crusade
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1212; young people from across Europe marched toward Holy Lang: Failed
Pope sent some back home once they reached Mediterranean Coast
Others reached France, where they were tricked into boarding ships and led to slavery
Crusades continued until 1291, when Muslims captured the last Christian stronghold in the Holy
Land
Innovations during the Crusades
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Crossbow, catapults, and gunpowder were developed by the Europeans
Nobles and lords died in crusades = more power to Kings; end of feudalism
Italian cities became trade hubs
Cultural infusion from SW Asia resulted in apricot, lemon, melon, rice, sugar trade