The Crusades

Jerusalem – The Holy Land

  • Christians: where Jesus was crucified and resurrected

  • Jews: Zion, God’s own city, site of Solomon’s temple

  • Muslims: 3rd holiest city, where Muhammad ascended to heaven

The Crusades

  • From Latin “crux” (cross)

  • Crusaders “take up the cross” to recover Holy Land from Muslims

  • Series of nine military expeditions

Why Go On a Crusade?

  • Knights: use fighting skills, adventure

  • Possible wealth or instant salvation if killed

  • Peasants: freedom from feudal bonds

Why did the Pope Want a Crusade?

  • Increase power in Europe 

  • Heal split between Roman Catholic and Byzantine/ Greek Orthodox Church

  • Saw land in the Middle East as a good place for Europe’s growing population

The First Crusade

  • 1096 – 1099

  • Crusaders meet in Constantinople

  • Killed Jews and Muslims on the way to capturing Jerusalem

  • Some crusaders stay, create Palestine


The Second Crusade

  • 1147 – 1149

  • Seljuk Turks (Muslim) take part of Crusader states in Palestine

  • Crusaders fail to recover lands

The Third Crusade

  • 1189 – 1192

  • Led by Richard the Lionheart of England

  • Saladin– united Muslims, took Jerusalem in 1187

  • Saladin’s truce– he keeps city, allows pilgrim access

The Fourth Crusade

  • 1204

  • Crusaders decide not to go to Jerusalem

  • Attack Christian city of Constantinople instead

Effects of the Crusades

  • Feudalism breaks down, kings gain authority over Pope & nobles

  • Bitterness among Muslims, Christians, and Jews

  • Byzantine empire weakens

  • Interactions lead to establishment of trade networks.

The Reconquista

  • King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain wanted to create a Christian Spain

  • They attempt to drive all Muslims out of Spain

The Inquisition

  • Inquisition court set up to try people accused of heresy

  • Isabella targeted the Jews and Muslims in Spain

  • Anyone who refused to convert to Christianity was tortured or burned at the stake

Effects of The Inquisition

  • More than 150,000 people fled Spain in fear

  • Religious unity was achieved in Spain, but at a huge price

  • Spain’s economy suffered from loss of any skilled and educated people.