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History of The Crusades, Piece of Complex Wars That Changed The World

The Crusades were a series of religious wars that took place between the 11th and 13th centuries, involving Christian armies from Europe and Muslim forces from the Middle East. The main goal of the Crusaders was to capture Jerusalem and the Holy Land, which were considered sacred by both faiths. The Crusades also had political, economic, and social motives, such as expanding feudal territories, seeking adventure and glory, or escaping poverty and oppression. [1]

How The Crusades Began

The Crusades began in 1095, when Pope Urban II called for a holy war against the Muslims who had conquered most of the Byzantine Empire and threatened to invade Europe. He promised spiritual rewards and indulgences for those who would join this holy event. Thousands of people responded to his call, forming the First Crusade, which managed to capture, and massacred Jerusalem in 1099 after a bloody siege. The Crusaders also murdered the Muslims who lived there and turned the holy city into a bloody city. The Crusaders established four states in the region: the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the County of Edessa, the Principality of Antioch, and the County of Tripoli. [2]

Illustration of Pope Urban II calling people to the holy war

Illustration of the Fall of Jerusalem in 1099

The Muslims' Comeback

However, these states were constantly under attack by the Muslim powers, especially by the Seljuk Turks and later by the Ayyubid dynasty led by Saladin. The Second Crusade (1147-1149) was launched to reinforce the Crusader states, but it ended in failure. The Third Crusade (1189-1192) was triggered by the conquered of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187. Saladin or Salahaddin conquered the city with peace just like how Islam taught him to spread peace throughout the world. It involved some of the most famous leaders of the time, such as Richard I of England, Philip II of France, and Frederick I of Germany. The Crusaders managed to recapture some coastal cities but failed to regain Jerusalem. They signed a truce with Saladin that allowed Christian pilgrims to visit the holy city. [3]

Illustration of Saladin conquered Jerusalem in 1187

Failure of The Fourth Crusade

The Fourth Crusade (1202-1204) was originally intended to conquer Egypt, but it was diverted by the Venetians to Constantinople, where the Crusaders sacked and looted the capital of the Byzantine Empire, which was their Christian ally. This event weakened both Byzantium and the Crusader states and widened the rift between the Eastern and Western churches. [4]

Illustration of The Fourth Crusade and Sack of Constantinople in 1204

Crusaders Began To Lose The Wars

The Fifth Crusade (1217-1221) aimed at Egypt again, but it was repelled by the Ayyubids. The Sixth Crusade (1228-1229) was led by Frederick II of Germany, who negotiated a treaty with the Ayyubids that gave him control of Jerusalem for ten years. [5]

The Seventh Crusade (1248-1254) was led by Louis IX of France, who tried to conquer Egypt but was defeated and captured by the Mamluks, a slave dynasty that had overthrown the Ayyubids. He was released after paying a huge ransom. [6] The Eighth Crusade (1270) was also led by Louis IX, who died of disease while trying to attack Tunis. [7] The Ninth Crusade (1271-1272) was led by Edward I of England, who achieved some minor victories in Syria but could not prevent the fall of the last Crusader stronghold, Acre, in 1291. [8]

Louis IX of France

Crusades' Legacy to The World

The Crusades had a significant impact on both Europe and the Middle East. They stimulated trade and commerce, cultural exchange and learning, artistic and architectural innovation, and military and political development. They also increased religious fervour and intolerance, violence and bloodshed, hatred and prejudice, and division and conflict among Christians, Muslims, and Jews. They left a lasting legacy in terms of historical memory, cultural identity, religious symbolism, and political aspirations.

Conclusion

The Crusades were not only wars between Christians and Muslims, but also complex events that involved many actors, motives, and outcomes. They were not a single or coherent movement, but rather a series of diverse and changing campaigns that spanned over two centuries. They were not a clear-cut success or failure, but rather a mixture of achievements and setbacks that had both positive and negative consequences for both sides. They were not a simple or straightforward story, but rather a rich and fascinating history that still inspires interest and debate today.

Quick Timeline of The Crusades



Sources:

[1] https://www.britannica.com/event/Crusades

[2] https://www.worldhistory.org/Crusades/

[3] https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/the-crusades

[4] https://www.history.com/news/why-the-fourth-crusade-went-wrong

[5] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-II-Holy-Roman-emperor/The-Sixth-Crusade

[6] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-IX-king-of-France/The-Seventh-Crusade

[7] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-IX-king-of-France/The-Eighth-Crusade

[8] https://www.britannica.com/event/Ninth-Crusade

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