Crusades, Trade, Towns, Plague

Crusades

• Religious wars initiated by European Christians, in expedition to conquer the Holy Land

Crusades Causes

European nations were growing

Islamic empire’s expansion threatened the Byzantine empire

Religious zeal

Crusades Goal

Reclaim the holy land (Jerusalem)

Pope Urban II

• Called for the defeat of the Islamic forces

• Wanted to return the Holy Land to Christians

• Feudal Lords, Knights & Peasants answered the call to arms

First Crusade

Crusaders succeed in capturing Jerusalem

Many Christians head home after

Muslims reclaim most of the land they lost

Second Crusade

• Rulers of France and Germany sent new troops to stop the Muslims & reclaim Jerusalem (again)

Saladin

Helps Muslims win victory

Known for being wise, kind and chivalrous

Third Crusade

Christian & Muslim forces fight, but reach a stalemate

King Richard the Lionhearted

• he reached a truce with Saladin to allow Christians to visit the Holy Land (which remained under Muslim control)

Fourth Crusade

• Objective: Retake Jerusalem

• Crusaders never make it to the Holy Land

• Crusaders stop in constantinople & sack the city

  • Loot and destroy their Christian ally

Crusades Aftermath

• Feudalism declines

  • Trade increases

Yersinia Pestis

(the bacteria that caused the Black Plague) first appeared in Asia and traveled to Europe via trade shipsPlague

Plague

Overcrowding and unhealthy conditions combined with trade led to the spread of diseasePlague

Plague Impact

• Population decline

• Scarcity of labor

• Freedom from feudal obligations

• Decline of church influence

  • Disruption of trade