Transcript The Crusades - Barrington 220

An epic 1000 years in the
making…
The Seljuk Turks
• In 1055, a Turkish leader captured Baghdad and
claimed himself sultan, or “holder of power.”
• Under new Turkish leadership, the Arab Empire
began to increase pressure on their neighbors,
the Byzantine Empire…
The Council of Clermont (1095)
• Byzantine Emperor
Alexius I asks western
Europe for help against
the Turks.
• Seeing an opportunity,
Pope Urban II
challenged Christians
to join in a holy war at
the Council of Clermont
in 1095.
– Offered forgiveness of
sins for those who
participated.
Goals of the Crusades…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Save the Byzantine Empire
-The Byzantine Empire were threatened by the Turks.
Retake Jerusalem
-The Islamic Empire (and faith) had been spreading by
638AD it had captured the city of Jerusalem
-By 1071AD the Seljuk Turks were persecuting Christians
living there.
Spread Christianity
Increase the power of the Church and the Pope
-The Catholic Church knew that, if successful, the Crusades
would bring power and prestige to the Church.
End the feudal wars among nobility
-The Pope hoped that sending knights off to war would
reduce the conflicts between nobles at home.
So who joined?
• The holy war
attracts both
peasants and
nobles
– Why?
• Religious fervor
• Adventure and a
change to fight
• Wealth and perhaps
a title?
– Overall, between
100,000 – 200,000
volunteer
To Constantinople!
• Peasants and nobles from all over Western Europe
make their way to Constantinople.
– There, they must take an oath to Alexius I before
continuing.
The First Crusade
• Few members of the
Peasants’ Crusade ever
reach Constantinople.
– Pillaged, stole, and
murdered along the way.
• The main Crusade led by
the nobles successfully
takes Jerusalem in 1099.
• After, most of the
crusaders returned
home.
– Some stay to establish the
Four Crusader States.
– “Islands of Christianity in a
hostile sea of Islam”
The Second Crusade
X
• Muslim forces
recaptured Edessa
in the 1140’s.
• Crusade sent to
retake it fails
miserably.
– Gives Muslim forces
a confidence boost.
The Third Crusade
• Muslim leader Saladin
retakes Jerusalem in
1187.
• Crusade is sent to retake
it
– Is successful at first
• Capture Acre
– Later misfortunes ruin the
Crusade
• Do not recapture
Jerusalem
– Establish a treaty with
Saladin to allow safe
passage for pilgrims
visiting Jerusalem.
– Richard the Lionhearted
X
The Fourth Crusade
• Pope Innocent III tries to establish the
Fourth Crusade as a holy cause
– Instead, it is led by Venetians who sack
Constantinople in 1204.
• Were an economic competitor
And the rest…
• There were several
other Crusades of
varying focus and
success.
• Children’s Crusades
– Italian Children’s
Crusade is sent home
by the Pope.
– French Children’s
Crusade ends in
tragedy.
Goals of the Crusades… Accomplished?
1. Save the Byzantine Empire
- Failed – Byzantine Empire is weakened and
Constantinople is sacked in 1204!
2. Retake Jerusalem
- Failed – Jerusalem remains in Muslim control.
3. Spread Christianity
- Failed – Islamic world is left united and
strengthened
4. Increase the power of the Church and the Pope
- Success – Papacy gains much power (at first)
5. End the feudal wars among nobility
-Success – Stops feudal warfare, unites kingdoms,
and helps end feudalism overall