Background Based on the idea of a holy war against the infidel, or unbeliever. Directed against Muslims. Pope Urban II called for the liberation of Jerusalem and the Holy Land of Palestine from the Muslims.

Background Continued Pope promised remission of sins and land grants along with the promise of fame and fortune. “ All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have remission of sins.”

Goals of the Crusade The Crusades had economic, social, and political goals as well as religious motives. Muslims had control of Palestine and threatened Constantinople. Offered kings & the Church both an opportunity to rid of quarrelsome knights who fought each other. Younger sons were seeking land and fame. Merchants made money by funding the Crusades.

The First Crusade What started as a minor call for aid quickly turned into a wholesale migration and conquest of territory outside of Europe. Most of the Crusader were French, but came from all parts of Europe. The Crusaders were ill-prepared for war and only 12,000 out of 48,000 made it to Jerusalem.

Knights and peasants traveled over land and by sea towards Jerusalem and captured the city in July 1099, establishing the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the other Crusader states. The first Crusade was the only crusade—in contrast to the many that followed— to achieve its stated goal.

The Second Crusade The Second Crusade was announced by Pope Eugenius III, and was the first of the crusades to be led by European kings, namely Louis VII of France and Conrad of III of Germany.

Second Crusade Cont. The armies of the two kings marched separately across Europe. Both armies were separately defeated by the Seljuk Turks. The crusade in the east was a failure for the crusaders and a great victory for the Muslims. It would ultimately lead to the fall of Jerusalem to the Muslim leader Saladin in 1187.

The Third Crusade Cont. Three important leaders led their forces into the East. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of Germany. Richard I the Lionhearted of England. Phillip II Augustus King of France. Lack of leadership and organization led to its failure. Richard negotiated a settlement in which Saladin agreed to allow Christian pilgrims free access to Jerusalem.