The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims to
secure control of holy sites - Jerusalem being the major site - considered sacred
by both groups.​ ​There were 9 in total.
Lasted between approximately ​1096-1272
Key Terms:
Holy Land​ - Jerusalem and parts of the surrounding area where Jesus lived and taught
Crusades - a series of military expeditions launched by the Church, Christian Europeans, to
win the Holy Land back from Muslim control
Jerusalem - ​a city in the Holy Land, regarded as sacred by Christians, Jews and Muslims
Pilgrim - a person who journeys to a sacred place (since circa A.D.200,European Christians
had been travelling to Jerusalem to visit the places written about in the Bible)
Key figures during the Crusades:
Pope Urban II ​(1042-1099) - sent out a call to all faithful Christians to fight in the name of
God to win back the Holy Land from Muslim rule, which they did in 1099
Peter the Hermit ​(1050-1115)-a French preacher who inspired 1000s of people with his
passion. They were ultimately ambushed and slaughtered
Godfrey of Bouillon ​(1061-1100)-made ​Defender of the Holy Sepulchre after capturing
Jerusalem
Bernard of Clairvaux (​1090-1153) - French monk, inspired people to follow him in the
2nd Crusade
Louis VII ​(1120-1180) - A French King.Particpated in the 2nd Crusade which ended in
disaster in 1149
Conrad III​ (1093-1152) - A German King who joined Louis VII in the 2nd crusade
Saladin​ (1137-1193) - Muslim General. He recaptured Jerusalem in 1187
King Richard I “the Lionheart” ​(1157-1199) - English King won many battles against the
Muslim armies but did not recapture Jerusalem. He did,however, negotiate a treaty with
Saladin, who reopened Jerusalem to Christian pilgrims
Pope Innocent III ​(1161-1216) - The Pope who called for a 4th and 5th Crusade.
Frederick II ​(1194-1250)- A Holy Roman emperor who was excommunicated for
committing to, but then failing to go on the Fifth Crusade. However, he lead his forces on a
6th Crusade in 1228, winning back Jerusalem and signed a 10 year truce with the Muslims.
Louis IX “Saint Louis” (1214-1270) - A king of France. He was considered, much like
Godfrey of Bouillon, the "perfect Crusader." He led the relatively unsuccessful 7th and 8th
Crusades.He died of disease during the 8th Crusade.
Edward I (1239-1307)- A king of England who led the 9th and final Crusade, which reached
Acre but accomplished little before it ended in 1272 with his departure for England.
-First crusade 1096-1099
-Second Crusade 1147-1149
-Third Crusade 1189-1192
-Fourth Crusade 1202-1204
-Fifth Crusade
1217-1221
-Sixth Crusade 1228-1229
-Seventh Crusade 1248-1254
-Eighth Crusade 1270
-Ninth Crusade 1271-1272
The bloody, violent and often ruthless conflicts propelled the status of
European Christians, making them major players in the fight for land in the
Middle East.
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The Crusades ultimately resulted in defeat for Europeans however they successfully
extended the reach of Christianity and Western civilization.
The Roman Catholic Church experienced an increase in wealth, and the power of the
Pope was elevated after the Crusades ended.
Trade and transportation also improved throughout Europe as a result of the
Crusades - The wars created a constant demand for supplies and transportation,
which resulted in ship-building and the manufacturing of various supplies.
After the Crusades, there was a heightened interest in travel and learning throughout
Europe, which some historians believe may have paved the way for the Renaissance.
In the Muslim world, however, the Crusaders were regarded as immoral, bloody and
savage.
The ruthless and widespread massacre of Muslims, Jews and other non-Christians
resulted in bitter resentment that persisted for many years.
The impact of history on today’s world?
There’s no question that the years of bloody conflict brought by the Crusades had an impact
on Middle East and Western European nations for many years, and still influence political
and cultural views and opinions held today.
Questions:
1) Who fought each other in the Crusades?
2) The city of Jerusalem is important to what three major religions?
3) The First Crusade got started when the Seljuk Turks did what?
4) Why did people join in fighting in the Crusades?
5) What was the result of the First Crusade?
6) Not counting the Crusade of Children, how many Crusades were there?
7) Which Crusade, led by the kings of Germany, France, and England did not retake
Jerusalem, but did gain the right for Christian pilgrims to visit the city?
8) What was the symbol of the Crusaders?
9) True or false: The majority of the Crusades were very successful in capturing the
Holy Land. TRUE FALSE
10) What religious leader from the Catholic Church helped to organize the First
Crusade?
Identify effects:
What were the main effects of the Crusades on life in Europe?
Predict:
What might have happened in Europe if the Crusades had never taken place?
Writing Activity:
Write an editorial during the time of the Crusades, either in support of or against the
First Crusade.
Remember that editorials are persuasive writing. State your position, then use reason
and facts to convince the reader that your opinion is the right one