1. The Crusades were a series of wars
between Christians and Muslims
during the Middle Ages.

2. Pope Urban II had called for a
Crusade in 1095 A.D. He wanted
Western European Christians
to control the Holy Land.

3. Between 1095 and 1291 A.D., a
series of wars were fought between Christians and Muslims to control
the Holy Land.

4. Ultimately, Christians lost control
of the Holy Land.

5. Historians consider the Crusades
a “successful failure” for the
Western Europeans.

6. Christians permanently lost control
of the Holy Land.

7. However, Western Europeans gained
important ideas and objects from
the very advanced Islamic
societies of the
Middle East.

8. Crusaders learned about algebra
and Arabic numerals.

9. Crusaders learned about biology,
human anatomy, and medicine.

10. Crusaders discovered new spices
and perfumes.

11. Trade and cultural diffusion increased.

12. Feudalism began to decline as
the Crusades helped Western
European kings gain more power.

13. Yes, the Crusades had changed
Western Europe and would help
transform the region.

14. But while many changes were positive,
persecution of religious minorities and
religious intolerance increased.