The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims over control of the Holy Land. Growing tensions between the groups were exacerbated when the Seljuk Turks took over Jerusalem and persecuted Christian pilgrims, massacring 3000 of them. In response to a call for help from the Byzantine Emperor, Pope Urban II saw an opportunity to both aid the Byzantines and unite Europe under the Church. In 1095, he gave a speech urging Europeans to take up arms in a "just war" to retake Jerusalem and regain access to Christian holy sites.

1. Causes of the crusades H.S.S. 7.6.6Causes & Course of the Crusades and their effects on the religious populations of Europe.

2. What were the Crusades?A religious war between Christians and Muslims for the control of “the Holy Land.”

3. Food for thoughtWhat is a Crusade?any vigorous, aggressive movement for the defense or advancement of an idea, cause, etc.A crusade is also a war declared by a Pope.How might a Crusade benefit?The Pope?A Knight?A Lord?A Merchant?“one mans crusade is another man’s terrorism” If you were Muslim you would call the crusades the Frankish invasion, after the group of people invading your land.Pilgrimages and ChristianityHoly Relics & Sites

5. Before the CrusadesMuslims allowed Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem because it brought new sources of revenue.Christian pilgrimages were a way of being forgiven for your sins. Violence is ripping apart Europe as Nobles are fighting among themselves.Famine beginning to spread across the Continent as mini ice age slows crop production

8. Seljuk Turks Persian MuslimsDid not allow Christian Pilgrims into Jerusalem.Persecuted Christians who were there.Violence escalates and 3000 Christians are massacred

10. A letter from byzantine…With the massacre Byzantine Emperor Alexis sends a letter to Pope Urban Asking for Help… he will regret this later.

11. What Pope Urban II said…The pleading from Alexis was just what the Pope wanted to hear. (they didn’t get along and now he needed his help) 1095 Pope made a speech in France in it he passed along this message “You common people who have been miserable sinners, become soldiers of Christ! You nobles, do not [quarrel] with one another. Use your arms in a just war! Labor for everlasting reward.”

17. Regaining the Holy Land