by Leigh Goessl

Created on: April 11, 2008

The origins and significance of the Crusades

The Crusades made a long lasting effect on history which has lead into modern times both politically and economically. In 1095 Pope Urban II initiated the Crusades by calling for knights "to take up the cross" to defend their fellow Christians who were being persecuted by Muslims. During this time the Roman Catholic Church viewed Muslims as a threat to Christianity, and the crusaders felt they were on a spiritual mission that would "lead them to paradise" (Levack, et al, pg 184).

Pope Urban II promised absolution of sins for those who answered the calling and many responded to this request with this promise they'd be compensated with special rewards from the Church; as a result many armed pilgrims answered to this mission. The Roman Catholic's first crusade was successful and established Latin principalities in the Middle East. There were three subsequent crusades, but none were as successful as initial one.

The crusades lead to the eventual dismantling of the Byzantine Empire and left a large, long lasting impact on the regions. While the Latin principalities were unable to sustain presence in the Middle East, the crusades resulted in a huge opportunity for trade opportunities and economic growth. Being the crusaders had to pass through Italy, many Italian cities grew as a result of the crusades, and these cities became the center of both transporting and providing supplies to the crusaders. The Italian ports were "transformed from small ports of regional significance into hubs of international trade" (Levack, et al, pg 186). This regional lucrative growth stimulated the Western European economic which led to a time of tremendous economic expansion.

The crusaders who made the calling to fight and remained in the area were learned how to coexist with their Muslim neighbors. As part of their sharing the same geographical region, they had to learn how to accept living with one another which led to them interacting with trade. While they enabled themselves to do this in order to sustain, the crusaders never did learn the Arabic language nor did they take Muslim teachings seriously.

In the 12th and 13th centuries this economic boom continued and led to widespread development of international luxury trade, which also proved lucrative. Being the crusades had to pass through the Italian territories, this zone ended up monopolizing this European trade. Luxury items in demand included silks, jewels, dye-able cloths, dyes, and

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