1. 1 The Significance of the Crusades in World History

2. 2 What were the Crusades? “A series of military expeditions (11 th -13 th centuries) from Christian Europe to recover the Holy Land (Palestine) from the Muslims” – Moreover, they were undertaken, “in fulfillment of a solemn vow, to deliver” these Holy Places from “Mohammedan tyranny.”

3. 3 Christianity and Islam Generally hostile to one another The Muslims were known to attack Christian coasts and shipping European pilgrims were permitted to visit the Christian holy sites in Palestine Early on, Muslims had acknowledged the right of them to do so – this perspective would change with the emergence of the Seljuk Turks

4. 4 Seljuk Turks Changed the dynamic of Christian and Islamic relations Followers of the Sunni branch of Islam Took control of Jerusalem in 1071 Had enough might to actually threaten Christendom Pilgrims to the Holy Land were being harmed – thus, the Turks were viewed as obstacles and oppressors

5. 5 Constantinople Requests Help The threat of the Turks became so urgent that Byzantine Emperor Alexius I appealed to the West for assistance Pope Gregory VII made a plan that included leading 50,000 men to help re-establish Christian unity and repulse the Turks In Europe, the concept of a holy war against Islam was given credence after Muslim defeats in both Spain and the Mediterranean

6. 6 The Council of Clermont (1095) Pope Urban II called for an end of the constant feuding among European nobles –He adapted the plan from Gregory VII. –He suggested that they band together against Mohammedans to free the Holy Land. –He described the plight of the the eastern Christians. Pope Urban II at Clermont Cathedral

7. 7 The Response: Enthusiastic This was due to… –Increase in population & prosperity of W. Europe –Intense religious devotion during that time –Prospect of territorial expansion –Prospect of riches for nobles –Desire for freedom for the lower classes –Desire to expand trading with the East –General allurement to travel and adventure “The Crusaders were motivated by a desire to earn salvation and the promise of land, wealth, and fame.”

8. 8 The First Crusade 1095-1099 The only truly “successful” military crusade It established four “Crusader states” and captured Jerusalem in 1099 Muslims were massacred in Jerusalem as the city was taken

9. 9 Route of the First Crusade

10. 10 The Second Crusade 1147-1149 Edessa captured by the Turks in 1144 Pope Eugenius III persuaded Bernard of Clairvaux to preach the Second Crusade King Louis VII of France & King Conrad III of Germany met with their armies in Acre There was, however, poor cooperation – and Edessa was never reached Poorly disciplined armies slaughtered Jews in the Rhineland The Crusade was a complete failure

11. 11 The Third Crusade 1189-1192 The Turks re-captured Jerusalem in 1187 Led by King Richard I of England (with other European kings participating ) Captured Cyprus and Acre, but failed in its attempt to take Jerusalem Army decimated by shipwreck and battle A three-year truce and the right of unarmed Christians to visit Jerusalem resulted

12. 12 The Fourth Crusade 1202-1204 Commissioned by Pope Innocent III since Jerusalem was still under Muslim control Planned to attack Egypt first to divide the Muslim world Never reached the Holy Land Instead, Crusaders were persuaded to attack/sack Constantinople and capture its treasures Helped widen the division between Eastern & Western churches

13. 13 Other Crusades The Fifth Crusade The Sixth Crusade The Seventh Crusade The Eighth Crusade The Children’s Crusade None of these Crusades were as significant as the first four

14. 14 The Crusades are significant in World History because…

15. 15 Thesis Statements The opposition between Christianity and Islam intensified Commercialism was expanded The Crusades embarrassed the Church The Crusades increased the use of money

16. 16 The opposition between Christianity and Islam intensified Ramification: There would never be real peace between these two groups. The Crusades brought the conflict between Christianity and Islam to a head. In essence, the Crusades hardened the edge of the conflict. It became clear that the differences would not be politically negotiated. Both sides were religiously motivated to fight fiercely for what they considered to be theirs. Neither side would compromise. Each demanded exclusive rights to certain areas.

17. 17 Commercialism was expanded Ramification: Europe started to realize the benefits of trade with the East. The Crusades exposed many Europeans to the culture and merchandise of the East. Europeans had to go to the East to get the sugar, tea and spices they wanted. This concept of trading with the East was fairly revolutionary at the time.

18. 18 The Crusades embarrassed the Church Ramification: Many began to doubt the authority and correctness of the pope. The Roman Catholic Church lost much of its credibility since the Crusades were in many aspects a fruitless, bloody, waste. The pope had given the Church a divinely inspired cause to fight for; yet, it did not succeed. The pope had apparently manipulated the people and bribed them into participating by offering to pardon certain sins.

19. 19 The Crusades increased the use of money Ramification: Money would continue to be used to fund church and government projects. Money had not been necessary in the feudal system, but money became a convenient way to exchange value. Obviously, money has long since replaced any bartering system in Western cultures. The Crusades were part of bringing this about.

20. 20 The End This presentation is for demonstration purposes only - The accompanying Bibliography and End Notes provide an example and they are not to be construed as a failure to cite all sources employed – moreover some of the sources are not “real” and the accompanying © statements are not real – they are for demonstration purposes only You do NOT need to include the above statement in your presentation – it is simply a clarification

21. 21 This presentation was produced by Your Name H212.1 May 27, 2010 SU 2010