The eight major Crusades occurred between 1096 and 1291. They were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims. The Europeans also viewed the Crusades “as an opportunity to reconcile eastern and western Christianity. Drawn by the dream of liberating the Holy City of Jerusalem”.(Craig et al. 362). Nevertheless, the Crusades were bloody, violent, and ruthless as Christians tried to take control of the Holy Land of Jerusalem located in Palestine.
The First Crusade was launched by Pope Urban II who “was in a position strong enough to convoke two important ecclesiastical councils…because of the Gregorian Reform movement, which enabled the popes to assume a more active role in society”(Madden). He was motivated by the dangers the Christians faced when making their pilgrimage towards the Holy City which was raided by the Seljuk Turks. Along with “[wanting] to unite Europe”(CrashCourse). After the First Crusade, Christians were able to reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem. During the second Crusade, the Crusaders were met by a terrible defeat by the combination of Muslim forces and aid from Nur al-Din when trying to recapture Edessa. Moreover, the Third Crusade was a response to Saladin who had destroyed the Christian army, marking the end of Christian claim of the Holy Land, Jerusalem, as well as claiming large amounts of territory. This Crusade was ended by the “peace treaty that established the Kingdom of Jerusalem (though without the city of Jerusalem)”(History Staff). The Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade had declared war on Constantinople and was ended by its fall. Through the rest of the Crusades, their main goal was combating anyone who might be an enemy of Christian faith. As a result of the all the Crusades, bloodshed, and wars, the last remaining Crusader cities fell in 1291 which marked the end of both the Crusader states as well as the Crusaders. There was a great motivation to reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem but there were also other European intentions.
Europeans had a few different motivations to be involved in the Crusades. For example, Pope Urban II, who was also motivated by the idea that the Crusades would end up “[strengthening] the papacy in Italy and achieve ascendancy as head of the Christian church”(Cartwright). As the Crusades continued, European motivations also shifted and also focused on the economic development they could gain. Europeans were motivated to extend trade routes and even earn money from the Crusades. Overall, the outcome of the Crusades led to just that, improvements in trade and transportation, and the Crusades themselves which created a constant demand for supplies and transportation. Furthermore, Pope Urban II’s goal was reached and the power of the Pope was increased and the Church experienced increases in wealth.
Muslims being ones who were also the main party involved in the Crusades were also fighting to reclaim Jerusalem which had been reclaimed by Christians. Throughout the Crusades, both sides held a large amount of bloodshed of innocent people. For example, during the first Crusade, the “Crusaders slaughtered hundreds of men, women, and children”(History Staff) as they entered into Jerusalem. They were encouraged when the Second Crusade collapsed and felt relieved when Jerusalem was recaptured and remained in Islamic control until the twentieth century.
In my opinion, I do not think either side should have a claim to Palestine, more specifically, the Holy City of Jerusalem. Having the Abrahamic Religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all consider it their Holy City, they should not have an individual claim to it. What is supposed to be the Holy City has suffered massive amounts of bloodshed of innocent people from all 3 religions during the Crusades such as when the Christian army was destroyed in Palestine, or when Muslims were slaughtered when the Crusaders entered Jerusalem. Being a religious city everyone should have access henceforth it should not be specified with only one religion.
In conclusion, the Christian Crusades caused the death of millions of people all with different intentions. With the different responses of the groups of people who all suffered throughout it. Yet in my opinion, everything that occurred during the Crusades leads me to believe that Palestine should not be claimed by just one religion because 3 different religions view it as their Holy City.