The Crusades
During the Dark Ages, Muslim influence spread throughout Africa and Eastern Europe. The quick spread caused Christians to become more and more fearful of Muslim invasion. As new Turk leaders limited pilgrimages to the Holy Land and the Byzantine Empire became more susceptible to attack, the inevitability of the Crusades grew. The Crusades were Christian Military expeditions to recapture the Holy Land of Palestine. The Crusades had two main goals. The first was to gain permanent control of Palestine. The second goal was to protect the Byzantine Empire. Additionally, many Crusaders hoped to increase their influence, land and wealth. Although the Crusaders won several battles and temporarily set up a Crusader Kingdom, the victories came with great losses and costs while having little permanent effect.During the 600's Arab Muslims took control of the Holy Lands of Palestine (including Jerusalem). These lands were sacred to Christians because of the many holy sites and relics. The Arab rulers generally permitted Christians to make trips to the various shrines as a result. During the 1000's Turks from central Asia came and conquered both Palestine and Asia Minor. The Turks crushed Byzantine forces, and the emp
At the end of it all, despite great anguish and sacrifice, the crusades were a failure. Most starved or froze to death on the march to the Mediterranean. Inspired by the French religious leader, Bernard of Clairvaux, the Western Europeans were determined to defend the Latin States. This friendship resulted in a general toleration of rival religion. There were several key leaders including Godfrey of Bouillon. Although they failed, King Richard made a treaty with the Muslim leaders that allowed Christians to make Pilgrimages to the Holy Land. After six weeks of fighting, the Holy city was recovered. Unlike the First Crusade, it was one of nearly complete failure. In Constantinople, the Byzantine armies joined the crusaders. In 1147, Armies led by King Conrad III of Germany and King Louis VII of France marched towards Asia Minor. In this Crusade, thousands of boys and girls between the ages of 10 to 18 set off to Palestine. After the easy victories and financial gain proved to be exact falsehood, many of the once faithful were now filled with uncertainty and doubt in papal proclamations. The diet of the people expanded! to include eastern grown peaches and spinach. The Crusades have become the classic example of good intentions gone bad, and are a permanent reminder of the devastations ignorance can cause.
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