1. Crusades, Trade, and the Plague. Mr. Noone Helpful Notes

2. The Crusades  The Christians wanted to win back Palestine because they considered it to be their Holy Land.  The purpose of Pope Urban II’s plea was to help free Palestine from Muslim control.  Christianity flourished in Europe.  Islam flourished in Asia, Africa, and a small part of Western Europe.

3. East and West The effects of the Crusades: The effects of the Crusades: The Crusades did not have a permanent effect on rule in the region. The Crusades did not have a permanent effect on rule in the region. They did increase trade and commerce between the West and the East. They did increase trade and commerce between the West and the East.

4. Trade Grows  The serfs needed iron for better farming tools.  The lords wanted new products, such as wool and furs, to show off their wealth.  Benefits that the trade routes had for traders:  Able to exchange local goods for foreign goods through middlemen without having to travel to the markets of Asia.

5. The Silk Road The Silk Road influenced Chinese culture by the use of caravans that carried goods and ideas to China from the West. (Buddhism also came to China via the Silk Road.) The Silk Road influenced Chinese culture by the use of caravans that carried goods and ideas to China from the West. (Buddhism also came to China via the Silk Road.) According to Marco Polo, Genghis Khan unified the region by making himself head of cities and provinces over governors whom he appointed. According to Marco Polo, Genghis Khan unified the region by making himself head of cities and provinces over governors whom he appointed. The Mongols made the Silk Road safe to travel because they used the Silk Road to communicate with different parts of the empire. The Mongols made the Silk Road safe to travel because they used the Silk Road to communicate with different parts of the empire.

6. The Plague  Areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea are the first to be affected because it could have been spread on ships that carried goods.  The plague was spread by rodents that were infested by fleas.  At the time, teachers and physicians said that God’s will causes the plague.  Great numbers of people were dying at a fast rate from the bubonic plague.