Crusades During The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, many Christians participated in a sequence of military battles known as the Crusades. These battles aimed to retrieve control over the Holy Lands from Muslim rule. Upon hearing Pope Urban IIs speech many people set out to participate in the Crusades for financial gain as they desired to enlarge their territory, by establishing trade routes or gaining riches that would bring them wealth. Politically, Pope Urban was eager to create a United Christendom and help a fellow Christian ruler. However, some embarked on the journey in search of religious benefits such as redemption from sins or gaining entry into heaven after death. Ultimately, the hunger for economic and political prosperity drove many people towards joining

Europe’s overpopulation and resource shortages drove many crusaders to seek out new lands in the East. The idea of exploring the unknown and potentially returning with riches was highly appealing to crusaders. They were also facing economic difficulties and limited opportunities to gain land and wealth due to Europe’s economic condition and the feudal system. Given the economic difficulties and limited opportunities that many Europeans faced during the Middle Ages, it’s no surprise that crusaders were eager to explore. As crusaders explored the holy lands, “the merchants of Pisa, Genoa, and Venice saw an opportunity to gain control of vital trade routes to India, Southeast Asia, and China from Muslim traders”(Patterns of Interaction p.382). The Holy lands attracted many religious people for religious reasons. Traders and merchants saw the land as an opportunity to conduct business and trade. As a result, the lands became a thriving center of trade. Upon hearing about these centers, many crusaders realized that gaining control over these centers would lead to great economic success since these centers served as important trade routes to numerous areas. This shows that the crusaders were primarily driven by the economic benefits that controlling the Holy Land could

Pope Urban persuaded many people to join as he said that those who participated would receive salvation from sins and a place in heaven. This was highly intriguing to people, as sins were seen as ubiquitous in everyday life which created a sense of anxiety among people. Upon, hearing Urban's speech many people were eager to join the Crusades as it was a way to atone for their sins and earn a place in Heaven. As mentioned before, knights were highly violent during the Middle Ages, and similar to commoners the Crusades were viewed as a way to atone for their sins. Despite Pope Urban persuading people through religious benefits, Urban himself was primarily motivated politically. The Pope wanted to reconquer Palestine and unite Christendom. Urban viewed the Crusades as a way to, “ strengthen his papacy and put Rome back at the center of the world political stage”( The Cresent and the Cross10:38-11:01). Pope Urban recognized that he would be able to rally Christian Europe as a whole and unify them under his control. Through this Urban would be able to create the Christiedome that he so