Global Thematic Essay- The Crusades

The Crusades are four \"holy wars\" that took place beginning in 1095. The first war was won by the Christians and the second was won by the Muslims. The third war involved the King of England, who did not succeed, and the fourth and final war was a failure for Christians, but a victory for the Muslims. There were motives and long term effects behind the Crusades. Two motives were Pope Urban II believed his power would increase and the Christians thought their sins would be forgiven, and two long term effects are a legacy of hatred between Muslims and Christians, and Cultural diffusion increased.

-Pope Urban II thought his power in Europe would increase, and that he could do some good and heal the schism, or split, of the Eastern and Western churches. -He was unsuccessful and the split became wider -Christians thought if they participated in these wars, that their sins would be forgiven. -Controversial topic because of one of the Ten Commandments. -Thought they were killing for God.

Two motives behind the Crusades are Pope Urban II's power and Christian beliefs. Pope Urban II thought his power in Europe would increase, and that he could do some good and possibly heal the schism, or split, between the eastern and western churches. However, he was unsuccessful and the split became wider. Christian beliefs played another role in the Crusades motives. They thought if they participated in these wars, their sins would be forgiven. This is a controversial topic because God put, \"Thou shalt not kill,\" in the Ten Commandments, but they thought they were killing for God.

-Tons of people in Christian and Muslim cultures still believe in the hatred for one another. -Saladin, respected Muslim leader admired by both Muslims and Christians, tried his best to prevent this long lasting tension. -Talk about massacre after Christian victory -Talk about how Saladin forbade Muslims to do the same after their victory -Cultural diffusion: Travelers from the Crusades expanded Europe's horizons and brought them back into the world's loop. -Europe began trading with and exploring India and China.

The Crusades have made lasting impacts on the world today, including the hatred between Christians and Muslims, and an increase in Cultural diffusion. Tons of people in Christian and Muslim cultures still believe in this hatred for one another. Saladin, a respected Muslim leader admired by both Muslims and Christians, tried his best to prevent this long lasting tension. After the Christians won the first Crusade, they celebrated by massacring Muslim and Jewish inhabitants. After the Muslims won the second Crusade, Saladin forbade them from harming or stealing from the defeated Crusaders. On the bright side of the Crusades, Cultural diffusion increased. Travelers from the Crusades began expanding Europe's horizons and brought them back into the world's loop. Europe began trading with and exploring India and China.

After and during the Crusades, not only were Muslims, Jews, and Christians impacted, but Spain was as well. Spain began to try to take over Muslim lands and drive them out of Spain. This is known as the \"Reconquista.\"