Download Crusades Reading

Name:
Mr. Ornstein
Global History and Geography I
The Crusades
The Catholic Church underwent reform and
launched Crusades (Religious Wars) against
Muslims and others. The Crusades resulted in trade and
exploration between Europe and Asia but left a legacy of distrust
between the Western and Islamic worlds.
Pope Urban II called for a “holy war” or Crusade in 1093. The
goal of the Crusade was to have Christian armies retake the city
of Jerusalem from the Muslims. As the Byzantine Empire
weakened, Muslim armies gained control of the “holy land” of
Jerusalem and Israel. The Crusades were a series of wars
between Christians and Muslims for control of Jerusalem from
1096-1204. Causes of the Crusades include: Pope Urban II calls
for war, the Muslim control over Palestine, the Byzantine
Emperor asking for help to against Muslims, and European Lords
and Knights religious zeal and desire for riches and
adventure.
The first Crusade was successful for the Christians, however Muslims
eventually regained control of Jerusalem and the “Holy Land” and further
Crusades resulted in defeat for the Church and Christian armies.
There were many important results of the Crusades. With the success of
the first Crusade the Pope and Church gained power, but ultimately the later
defeats of the Crusaders resulted in the weakening of the Church and Pope.
The Byzantine Empire, which Crusaders were supposed to help, was
weakened. The death of many Nobles and Knights resulted in the collapse of
Feudalism in Europe. As the manor system declined,
monarchs gained power. Cities began to grow. Trade grew
between Europe and Asia, including the spice trade. Italian
cities gained wealth and power from profits made from the
spice trade. The profits made by Italian merchants helped to
fund the European Renaissance. European technology
improved as Crusaders learned from the Muslim world. The
Age of Exploration began as European looked for faster ways
to get to Asia to trade for spices. Finally, distrust grew between
the Christian and Muslims worlds.