AP World HistoryPOD #9

Medieval EuropeThe Crusades

Class Discussion Questions

McKay – “The Crusades”, pp. 277-283

What were the Crusades?

• Holy wars sponsored by the church during the 11th and 12th centuries

• Conflict between Christians and Muslims

• Continuation of the earlier conflict at the Battle of Tours

What was the goal of the Crusades?

• To reclaim the holy land (Jerusalem) from the Muslims

Why were the Crusades called and supported?

• Called by Pope Urban II in 1095 AD• If the Pope could raise a large army it would make him the leader of

the Christian world• After the east / west split of (1054 AD) it was felt that the Crusades

would increase Roman influence in the Greek east• The Turks had taken control of Jerusalem and it was feared that

worship and trade would be dangerous for Christians – there was outrage that the holy city was controlled by non-believers

• Eastern and western knights had been engaged in battle with each other – the Crusades would redirect their fighting towards a common Muslim enemy

• Kings were able to send away troublesome knights allowing them to increase their power and authority at home

• Land hungry sons had a chance for glory, fame, and fortune – they were able to gain their own fiefs in the Middle East

What was the outcome of the Crusades?

• There were numerous Crusade campaigns over the course of nearly 2 centuries

• The Muslims continued to control the holy land

What was the political legacy of the Crusades?

• The political relationship between Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Muslim world remained nearly the same as before Pope Urban II called the Crusades

• Crusades were launched against groups that were feared or thought to pose a political, heretical, or pagan risk to church doctrine

• April 1204 (Fourth Crusade) – Crusaders and Venetians destroyed Constantinople solidifying the split between Roman and Greek church

• The first of many colonizing movements in European history

What was the social legacy of the Crusades?

• Women gained greater social and economic status as they were given control of family assets and business while their husbands were off at war

• “Aristocratic Diaspora” – movement of knights to the Christian frontier – Christianity was on the move again

What was the economic impact of the Crusades?

• Commerce and trade between the Middle East and Europe was formulated

What was the religious legacy of the Crusades?

• Anti-Semitism – prejudice against the Jews at the hands of the Christians – Jewish businesspeople helped finance the Crusades – the Christians were resentful of being in debt to the Jews

• A permanent bitterness between Christians and Muslims (and to an extent Jews) was forged

• From 1095 AD on most Christians did not regard Jews (or Muslims) as normal human beings, viewing them instead as inhuman monsters