Europe On Crusade

Europe On Crusade

Causes of the Crusades 1050 Ad. Seljuk Turks invade the Byzantine Empire. Seljuk’s are a originally a nomadic people and are recent converts to Islam. 1095 AD. The Byzantine Empire unable to defeat the Turk’s appeal to the Pope for aid.

Abuses committed against Christianity n The

Turks have killed and captured many. n The Turks destroyed the churches and devastated the empire. n Churches being turned into mosques. n Defilement of ancient sacred relics. Christian leaders are pleading with the West to come to their

Pope Urban II Response at the Council of Clermont 1095. o

o o

Tells Christians that this war is for the righteous. (God Wills It). Christians are in urgent need of help. Tells all Christians to put aside differences and take up the cross as a people of one faith. All who die in this crusade will receive immediate remission of sins.

Crusades l There

are eight crusades. From (1095-1270). l the first, 1095-1101 l the second, 1145-47 l the third, 1188-92 l the fourth, 1204

First Crusade l Estimated

at 60,000 men. l This crusade takes Jerusalem the Holy City. l Most of the knights return home to Europe. l Christian rule in Jerusalem lasts till 1187, when Saladin defeats the Christians.

Third Crusade n Lead

by France and England. n Leaders are the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, King Philip of France, and Richard the Lion heart of England. n The Christians defeated Saladin’s army, but didn’t have sufficient troops to hold Jerusalem. So they agreed that Jerusalem be reopened to Christian pilgrims.

Effects of the Crusades Economic Expansion occurs. The Crusaders bring back technology and goods with them like: Sugar, Cotton, and Rice

The power of Feudal monarchs centralizes. Europeans now have access to the works of Aristotle. By 1453 Constantinople falls.

Historical Anecdotes n n n

Vald the Impaler – “dracula” He fought against Islam, convert to Catholicism. Impaled an Islamic army sent to dethrone him.

Scanderbeg Albanian leader. Fought against the Turks, almost single handedly. He defeated large armies. Albania for many years was the buffer zone between Islam and Christianity.

Conclusion n

n

n

Some Historians conclude that the Crusades was a very bloody and erroneous period in Europe's history. It wasn’t looking at the time and the context, Christianity was defending its right to survive as a world religion. The Seljuk Turks expansion was defeated at the naval battle of Lepanto where they were defeated