Crusades

The military expeditions planned and fought by western European Christians that began around 1095 are known today as the Crusades. The soul purpose of these expeditions was to overtake and gain control of Jerusalem from the Muslims. It was Christian belief that fate was to gain control of the Holy Land for the glory of God. The origin of the Crusades was a result of the Turkish expansion in the Middle East. The Turks invaded the Christian empire and Byzantium. The crusaders were sent out to recover the land which was rightfully theirs. The first crusade was initiated by Pope Urban II. Preaching words about how God would lead the way because they would be doing his work, Pope Urban urged action to take place. In response to his speech, the people cheered and planned their crusade to regain control of the lost city. Urban brought all the bishops and urged them to encourage their friends and fellow villagers to take part in the expedition.

Small self-directing groups began to form, each planning their own path to Constantinople; that was where they would meet and form unity. Their plan was to attack the Turkish forces in Constantinople and regain control of the city. The Christian armies conversed with the Byzantium emperor and agreed to return any of the old land that was recaptured. The armies were unsure about this agreement, however, they agreed to the make a treaty. The first attack by the crusaders was on the Turkish capital, Anatolian. The crusaders then met once again and together defeated the Turkish army, scoring a great victory and boosting their ego by far. Afterwards, the crusaders went and captured the city of Antioch, and then moved on to their primary goal--Jerusalem. Jerusalem was under heavy guard by the Egyptians at the time period when the crusaders were about to make their attack. The crusaders set up siege machines and called for reinforcements, and eventually, the Egyptians surrendered to them. All who lived in the city were killed in belief that the blood of former possessors purified the city.

For the next generation or so, the crusaders kept control over the Holy Land and invited their people to come inhabit the city. They began to colonize and set up states. The four major states which were set up consisted were Tripoli, Antioch, Edessa, and Jerusalem. The crusaders used the strategy of isolating and cutting off supplies that could lead to strengthening to the Muslims and Egyptians. However, as the next generation came about, the children of the original crusaders were not quite as motivated and determined as the original fleet, so the Muslims escaped the isolation and regained power. The Muslims found victory in attacking Edessa. The Muslims destroyed churches, homes, building,