Chapter 19 Regional Europe and the Crusades

History of the Region

• Late 600's - Arab control of Jerusalem
• Late 1000's - Seljuk Turk control of Jerusalem

Why be a Crusader?

Religious Reasons

• Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Many believed it was their duty to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites that were significant to Christianity.
• Forgiveness of Sins: Joining the Crusades was seen as a way to gain indulgences, which promised the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven.
• Defense of Christendom: The Crusades were viewed as a holy war to defend Christianity against Muslim forces and protect fellow Christians.
• Religious Zeal: Many participants were motivated by a deep religious fervor and the desire to serve God through military action.
• Papal Support: The Crusades were often sanctioned by the Pope, which gave participants a sense of divine purpose and legitimacy in their actions.
• Unity of Christendom: The Crusades were seen as a way to unite different Christian factions against a common enemy, fostering a sense of collective identity.
• Martyrdom: Some viewed participation as an opportunity for martyrdom, believing that dying for the faith would guarantee them eternal life.

Economic Motives

• Land Acquisition: Participants sought to acquire land and property in the Holy Land, which could lead to increased wealth and status.
• Wealth from Looting: Crusaders were often motivated by the prospect of plundering wealth from conquered territories and cities.
• Trade Opportunities: The Crusades opened new trade routes and markets, providing opportunities for profit through commerce.
• Debt Relief: Some joined the Crusades to escape debts or financial difficulties, hoping that success in battle would lead to wealth.
• Increased Influence: Joining the Crusades could enhance a noble's power and influence, leading to better economic prospects for their family.
• Support from Monarchs: Kings and nobles often funded the Crusades, providing financial incentives for lower nobles and knights to participate.
• Economic Incentives from the Church: The Church promised financial support and rewards for those who took part in the Crusades.

Results

• Failed to achieve goal (1-8)
• Beginning of the end of feudalism
• Increased authority of kings
• Brought classical texts back to Europe
• Improved technologies in West
• Inspired exploration

Conclusion

The Crusades were a series of religious wars launched initially to route Muslims from the Holy Land (Jerusalem). Although militarily unsuccessful in the long run, they introduced Europeans to new and exotic lands and initiated a cultural and technological exchange. This exchange was almost exclusively a one-way transfer from the Dar al Islam to Western Europe. Muslim science and medicine was shown to be superior to that in Europe. Always looking for better ways to make war, Europeans borrowed the practice of making damascene swords from the Muslims. European monarchs improved their methods of building military fortifications based on Muslim techniques, as can be seen in castles built by William the Conqueror in Normandy. An important cultural transfer were Arabic numerals and the decimal system which helped Europeans develop advanced mathematics and more efficient accounting systems for trade. The game of chess as well as foods such as yogurt, coffee, sugar and dates were introduced in Europe because of the Crusades. Europeans gained a desire for items of trade such as Persian carpets, silk, and cotton textiles. Europeans were also introduced to their own cultural and intellectual past. Classical writers such as Aristotle, lost to Europeans during the invasions after the fall of Rome, had been preserved in Muslim schools. Contacts with Muslims through the Crusades and in Spain, reintroduced Europe to its own intellectual and cultural heritage. This renewed interest in its classical past would culminate in the late 15th century as the Renaissance, a cultural flowering that would not have been possible without contact with the Dar al Islam.