89-90 The Crusades: Impact and Results

The Crusades: Impact and Results

The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages, primarily over control of the Holy Land.

The statement "Lest we get on our high horse and think violent extremism is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades people committed terrible acts in the name of Christ. In our home country, slavery and segregation all too often were justified in the name of Christ" is presented for discussion.
- It encourages reflection on historical events and avoids a sense of moral superiority.
- It links the Crusades to other instances of violence and injustice committed in the name of religion.

The film's depiction of the conflict's roots and Muslim administration of Jerusalem is to be compared with historical knowledge.

During the Crusades, both Christians and Muslims used violence to achieve their goals.
Both sides attempted to gain support by creating negative portrayals and demonizing the other side.
- Europeans referred to Muslims as "infidels" and termed the wars as "crusades" to galvanize Christian support.
- Muslims labeled Europeans as "barbarians" and framed the wars as a jihad to motivate their own forces.
There were instances of mercy on both sides, but religious intolerance was a significant negative impact.

Christian Perspective (Raymond d'Aguiliers): Describes the destruction of Jerusalem during the First Crusade, detailing the slaughter and suffering inflicted upon Muslims, viewing it as divine judgment and a cause for Christian rejoicing.
Muslim Perspective (Ibn al-Athir): Recounts the destruction of Crusader strongholds, highlighting the Crusaders' thirst, loss of confidence, and ultimate defeat, with heavy casualties and the capture of the Crusader king.

1099 A.D.: Christians captured Jerusalem during the First Crusade, exploiting the disunity between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Included the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, County of Tripoli, Principality of Antioch, and County of Edessa.

Christians and Muslims formed a treaty allowing traders to cross Middle Eastern lands unharmed.
The Battle of Hattin occurred when Christians violated the treaty by attacking Muslim traders, leading to Muslim retaliation in 1187.
Muslims, under Saladin, strategically blocked Christian access to water and other resources, leading to their defeat.
Christian kings began personally joining the fight, signaling a strong message.
Saladin led his army to capture Jerusalem, and the Christian forces easily fell.

Acclaimed military leader who united Muslims, leading them to victory.
Known as a merciful general who discouraged the killing of civilians and pillaging but resorted to violence when his people were treated inhumanely.
Quote: “Abstain from the shedding of blood. Trust not to that; for blood that is spilt never slumbers.”

Reluctant King of England who preferred a warrior's life and spent little time in England.
Joined the Third Crusade to stop the Muslims, especially Saladin.
Used England as a resource base to fund his attempts to win back the Holy Lands.
Ordered the killing of 2,000 Muslim captives because Saladin refused treaty terms, considered a war crime by many scholars.

Richard the Lionheart marched on to Jerusalem but turned around, realizing Christians could not defend it long term.
Saladin and Richard agreed to a truce:
- Muslims retained ownership of Jerusalem.
- Christians were granted safe passage into Jerusalem for religious reasons.
Reasons for Christian failure:
- Disagreement between the Byzantine Emperor and the Catholic Pope.
- The trek was too long for Western Christians.
- Lack of Christian population to populate captured areas.
- Loss of “crusading spirit.”

Crusaders originally intended to attack Egypt but instead attacked Constantinople, leading to the splitting of the Byzantine Empire.

Short term: Christian pride was hurt, but the people remained pious.
Long term: As more “dark” events occurred in Europe, people began to reflect on the Crusades and question their faith.

Europeans were exposed to Muslim learning and knowledge and began to look again at the works of the ancients.
Europeans noticed that Muslims supported and pushed for education, which gradually inspired Europeans to do the same.
Europeans were exposed to new cultures, gaining a wider worldview and a desire to learn more.

Feudal system continued to decline.
Feudal kings gained more power by levying taxes.
Byzantine resentment of the West intensified, deepening the schism.
The Byzantine Empire never fully recovered, leaving it vulnerable to Muslim attack in later centuries.

The Crusades created a demand in Europe for information about Islam.
Europeans sought knowledge about Muslim beliefs and their impact on behavior.
Objective perspectives were mainly found in the sciences.
Muslims preserved and translated classical works, making them accessible to Europeans.
The Crusades facilitated the transmission of Muslim scientific knowledge to Europe, ironically linking Europeans to their own past.