Download The Crusades - Barrington 220

An epic 1000 years in the
making…
After the death of Muhammad in 632 A.D., Muslims
were united under a new Caliph, Abu Bakr. Bakr
was a powerful ruler, and with time, the Islamic
Empire was ready to spread across the
Mediterranean.
Under the Umayyads, the Islamic Empire conquered
North Africa and Spain. They soon set their sites
on the rest of mainland Europe. These hopes
were dashed, however, with their loss against the
Franks at the Battle of Tours…
About a thousand years ago in a
region not so far far away…
With the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476,
Europe evolved into a place where only two things
mattered: loyalty to your kingdom, and loyalty to
the Roman Catholic Pope. A new society evolved
which centered around the Feudal hierarchy and
the Christian faith…
Cause: Expansion of The Seljuk
Turks
• In 1055, a Turkish leader captured Baghdad and
claimed himself sultan, or “holder of power.”
• Under new Turkish leadership, the Arab Empire
began to increase pressure on their neighbors,
the Byzantine Empire…
Europe’s Cause: The Importance of
Saints
• Saint
– Someone revered for
their holiness.
• Christians began
worshiping saints
– Relics
• Bones or objects
connected with saints.
– Pilgrimages
• Visiting a holy shrine was
beneficial.
– Rome
– Jerusalem
• Why might Jerusalem
be difficult for
Christians to get to?
The Council of Clermont (1095)
Facing constant raids from
the expanding Islamic
Empire…
• Byzantine Emperor
Alexius I asks western
Europe for help.
• Council of Clermont,
1095
– Pope Urban II challenged
Christians to join in a
holy war.
– Offered forgiveness of
sins.
The Council of Clerment
“All who die shall
have immediate
remission of their
sins!”
“It is the will
of God!”
Goals of the Crusades
(Pope Urban’s Perspective…)
1.
Save the Byzantine Empire
-The Byzantine Empire were threatened by the Turks.
(Not really…)
2. Retake Jerusalem
-The Islamic Empire (and faith) had been spreading by
638AD it had captured the city of Jerusalem.
-Slaying Christians in the Roman Empire?
3. Spread Christianity
4. Increase the power of the Church and the Pope
-The Catholic Church knew that, if successful, the Crusades
would bring power and prestige to the Church.
5. End the feudal wars among nobility
-The Pope hoped that sending knights off to war would
reduce the conflicts between nobles at home.
So who joined?
• The holy war
attracts both
peasants and
nobles
– Why go?
• Religious fervor
• Adventure and a
chance to fight
• Wealth and perhaps
a title?
– Overall, between
100,000 – 200,000
volunteer
First Crusade
ToThe
Constantinople!
• Peasants and nobles from all over Western Europe
make their way to Constantinople.
– There, they must take an oath to Alexius I before
continuing.
The First Crusade
• The main Crusade led by
the nobles successfully
takes Jerusalem in 1099.
• After, most of the
crusaders returned
home.
– Some stay to establish the
Four Crusader States.
– “Islands of Christianity in a
hostile sea of Islam”
The Second Crusade
X
• Muslim forces
recaptured Edessa
in the 1140’s.
• Crusade sent to
retake it fails
miserably.
– Gives Muslim forces a
confidence boost.
The Third Crusade
• Muslim leader Saladin
retakes Jerusalem in
1187.
• Crusade is sent to retake
it
– Is successful at first
• Capture Acre
– Later misfortunes ruin the
Crusade
• Do not recapture
Jerusalem
– Establish a treaty with
Saladin to allow safe
passage for pilgrims
visiting Jerusalem.
– Richard the Lionhearted
X
The Fourth Crusade
• Pope Innocent III tries to establish the
Fourth Crusade as a holy cause
– Instead, it is led by Venetians who sack
Constantinople in 1204.
• Were an economic competitor
And the rest…
• There were several
other Crusades of
varying focus and
success.
• Children’s Crusades
– Italian Children’s
Crusade is sent home
by the Pope.
– French Children’s
Crusade ends in
tragedy.
Goals of the Crusades… Accomplished?
1. Save the Byzantine Empire
- Failed – Byzantine Empire is weakened and
Constantinople is sacked in 1204!
2. Retake Jerusalem
- Failed – Jerusalem remains in Muslim control.
3. Spread Christianity
- Failed – Islamic world is left united and
strengthened
4. Increase the power of the Church and the Pope
- Success – Papacy gains much power (at first)
5. End the feudal wars among nobility
-Success – Stops feudal warfare, unites kingdoms,
and helps end feudalism overall
Impact and Legacy
• Impact on “Middle Ages”
– Re-affirms power of papacy and growth of
church.
– Europe briefly united.
• Leads to “High Middle Ages” and growth of
European Kingdoms.
• Lasting Legacy
– Instability in the Middle East
• Religions fight over this “holy” area of the world.
– Islam vs. Christianity
• The two are perceived as being against eachother.