What event caused the Crusades to start?

Answer 1

The cause of the Crusades was the clash between the Christian and Muslim religions. The Crusades resulted as a reaction of Muslim aggression against the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantines). The Muslims were running constant aggressive conquest campaigns on Christian lands as part of their imperialistic expansion. In 638 the Muslims conquered Jerusalem - the holy land where Jews and Christians would pilgrimage to. The Christian pilgrims to there were persecuted by the Muslims greatly. Over 60 Christian pilgrims were crucified in one short period by the Muslims. A Muslim governor of Caesarea in the 8th Century often seized pilgrims, one large group from Iconium was seized and they were all executed as spies (except for some that chose to convert to Islam instead of facing the sword). Muslims would ransack the churches if the pilgrims didn't pay protection money. Christian iconography and crosses were banned by the Muslims so many churches were pillaged and defaced. Caliph Mansur (around the 8th Century) ordered that the hands of all Christians and Jews be stamped with a distinctive symbol which helped them be 'humiliated' and identified for paying of the Jizzya (tax for being Christian). Converts to Christianity were executed (such as the ex-Muslim monk in 789). Churches and monasteries conquered by the Muslims were plundered and monks and clergy were often murdered such as Saint Theodosius monastery in Bethlehem. By the start of the 9th Century most Christians fled from their hometown to Christian cities such as Constantinople that were still under the Byzantines. In 937 during Easter celebrations, specifically Palm Sunday, Muslims rampaged through Jerusalem against the Christians and destroyed their churches including Church of Calvary and the Church of the Resurrection. It wasn't until the 960's (up to 200 years later) than the Christians actually reacted to this violence and persecution. Cities taken by force such as Crete, Cilicia, Cyprus, Antioch and even parts of Syria were reconquered by the Christians.

In 974 the Muslims then launched an official offensive under Sunni Caliph Abbasid against the Byzantines. The campaign of Muslims against the Christians lasted for around 30 more years until a short ceasfire while the Muslims fought against themselves. Then at the beginning of the 11th Century the Muslims again started their offensive against the Christians under Abu 'Ali al-Mansur al-Hakim and this was taken out on the average Christian. Churches were burnt, church property was seized. Over the first 10 years of the 11th Century over 30,000 churches were destroyed by the Muslim aggressors.

They even destroyed the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - the traditional site marking were Christ was buried. The Caliph ordered the tomb be destroyed.

All the Christians and Jews of Jerusalem (and other Muslim territories) were forced to wear heavy crosses and wooden calves around their neck. It wasn't until 1021 that this persecution decreased.

In 1056 hundreds of Christians were expelled from Jerusalem and European Christians were blocked from the pilgrimage to the city. On entering Jerusalem in 1077 3000 Jews and Christians were murdered by the Muslim invaders.

Then we get to where the story you quoted began - in response to the calls for help by the Christians persecuted throughout the Middle East and former Byzantine Empire territories the Western Church sent help.

Answer 2

The first proximate cause of the Crusades was the advance of the New East. The Christian nations of Europe were definitely not the aggressors. The Moslems had been aggressors against the Christians since the seventh century. Caliph Al-Hakim went half mad with wealth and power. He persecuted Christians and ordered the demolition of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The second proximate cause of the Crusades was the dangerous weakening of the Byzantine Empire. In 1071, the Turks attacked and virtually annihilated the Byzantine army at Manzikert. It was the defeat that led the Byzantine Emperor to appeal to the Pope for aid against the Moslems. The Christian countries of Europe were justified in defending themselves against Moslem attacks and also in going on the offensive in order to prevent future attacks. At no point did the Crusaders attack the Moslem homeland, Arabia, but only those originally Christian territories that the Moslems had conquered. For more information, the following are fantastic sources: What Were the Crusades? by. Jonathan Riley Christ the Lord King of History by. Anne Carroll The Age of Faith by Will Durant

Answer 3

Well the Christians wanted control of Jerusalem due to it being the birth place of Jesus so Pope Urban 2 decided too write a letter saying stuff like they are mistreating it. His main way of persuading people too go was saying that they are forgive of there sins, and will go too heaven. So they charge to Jerusalem and lose +20,000 men. "Clap Clap" Pope Urban 2 "Clap Clap".

Answer 4

Battle of Tours: Charles Martel (the Hammer)

Answer 5

The pope of Europe called the first crusade. He wanted to reunite the East and the West churches.

Answer 6

The Muslim occupation of Jerusalem (at least, that was the official reason).