What+were+the+Crusades?

What were the Crusades?

The Crusades were a series of military expeditions launched by Christian Europe in an attempt to reclaim territory from the Muslims. In addition to waging war on the Muslims, the Crusaders also fought Paganism and numerous Christian sects. These holy wars were sanctioned by Popes and many civic leaders, and they had far-reaching repercussions, some of which continue to be felt today, despite the fact that the Crusades ended in the 14th century. The Crusades were essentially sparked by two things: Muslim conquest of Christian holy sites such as Jerusalem, and social unrest in Europe. The Muslim conquest was a thorn in the side of many church leaders, while social unrest provided a pool of potential Crusaders to be exploited. Some historians have suggested that the focus of the First Crusade in 1096 was actually brought about by concerns that political infighting would tear Europe apart; by sending warriors off to claim new territory, the Pope could help to stabilize the political situation in Europe.

(MAP OF THE CRUSADES)