How Did the Crusades Affect Europe? Educational Resources K12 Learning, World, World Cultures, History Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Do you like to play chess?
Do you like to eat rice, lemons, or apricots?
Is your favorite subject in school algebra?
Is anything in your home made of silk?

During the Crusades, Europeans gained access to these ideas and goods and spread them worldwide using their trade networks.

The Crusades brought many changes to the world and increased trade between Europe and Asia, but was it worth all the years of war?

During the Middle Ages, Europeans fought in wars that started because Muslims and Christians wanted control of the Holy Land.

Use the map below to locate Jerusalem. This is the area called the Holy Land because it is considered holy to all three major monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

map of Jerusalem

Both Muslims and Christians believe that the founders of their religions visited and preached in the Holy Land during their lifetimes. Therefore, both religions wanted control of the land.

Muslims controlled the land before the Crusades began, and Christians were typically allowed to visit peacefully. However, a new group of Muslims controlled the Holy Land during the 11th century, and visits were not as peaceful for Christians.

Pope Urban II called on Christians to take control of the Holy Land away from Muslims in 1095.

Many knights of Europe in the Middle Ages saw these Holy Wars as an adventure. The Pope also promised them it would please God if they went and fought against the Muslims.

So, they embarked on a long journey from their European home to fight in the Middle East.

Watch the video below to learn more.

The voyage to the Holy Land was difficult for the knights, who were often short on supplies. Some knights did not make it to Asia, and those who did were tired and sick.

The first series of battles went surprisingly well for the Christians, even under these circumstances. The Muslims were disorganized and unprepared for battle.

However, in the second series of wars and beyond, the Christians would lose the Crusades and would not gain control of the Holy Land.

Millions of lives were lost because of these wars; however, many new advancements were spread because of the Crusades.

The Europeans learned about new math concepts and a new numbering system, Hindu Arabic Numerals, that we still use today. They gained access to new medical knowledge and other ideas as well.

The Crusades also opened up many new trade possibilities with goods that Europeans never had access to before.

For a summary of the Crusades' benefits to Europe, read about the Effects of the Crusades.

Move to the Got It? section to delve deeper into the Crusades!