Term Paper on "Crusades and the Influence it Had on the World"

Term Paper 14 pages (3699 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Crusades and Its Consequences

The Crusades were a series of historical events that was of extreme importance in the history of both Eastern and Western cultures. The motivations and reasons for the Crusade have been the subject of much contention and debate. Views include the opinion that the Crusades were essentially a power struggle and reflect the need of the Papacy to extend its political influence. While the Crusades are conventionally seen to have had a mainly religious impetus, yet historical research also reveals other aspects and dimensions, which emphasizes the complexity of the Crusades. Just as debatable and complex are the consequences and impact that the Crusades were to have on the world. These include negative aspects such as the subjugation and domination of other cultures as well as positive aspects such as the extension and broadening of cultural contact. There is no doubt however that the various Crusades had a profound effect on the social, cultural and political development of the world and were possibly the precursor to the era of European expansionism and eventual colonization.

Introduction

Motivations, reason and causative factors for the Crusades

Consequences of the Crusades.

Conclusion

References

Introduction

The Crusades were an historical event that are often understood in conventional terms to have been a "...fulfillment of a solemn vow, to deliver the Holy Places from Mohammedan tyranny." (Crusades)

However the crusades from a contemporary point-of-view are often debated and seen from different perspectives. For example, the Crusades are also described as "...war-pilgrimages proclaimed by the Popes on Christ's behalf and waged for the recovery of Christian territory or people, or in their defense." (Riley-Smith, J. 2000, p.20)

The reasons and the underlying historical facets are complex and the historical significance of the various crusades has had a profound and complex effect on the modern world.

The context in which the Crusades were based was essentially religious in nature. This can be seen in the fact that the very word 'Crusade" refers to a cross made of cloth, which was displayed on the apparel of those taking part in the crusades. (Riley-Smith, J. 2000, p.20) Therefore the established rationale and motivation behind the crusades was seemingly purely religious in nature. As a consequence, the meaning of 'crusade' has since the Middle Ages become a term referring to all wars "...undertaken in pursuance of a vow, and directed against infidels, i.e. against Mohammedans, pagans, heretics, or those under the ban of excommunication." (Crusades)

However, as this study will attempt to elucidate, the Crusades were undertaken as a result of many complex and often non-religious reasons which are intimately related.

The purpose of this study is to provide firstly a general overview of the Crusades as well as a discussion of the reasons that initiated and motivated these historical events. This analysis will lead to an exposition of the way in which the Crusades have had an effect on the world and to a certain extent shaped our contemporary and political realities. One of the aspects of the Crusades that will be discussed is the view that they can also be seen as a from of domination by the ideals of Christian theology and the subjugation of other people's view and religions; which has had long-term effects on the world that still affect us today.

2. Motivations, reason and causative factors for the Crusades

The first Crusade was begun in 1095 and the various Crusades continued until "... The fall of the last order-state, Hospitaller Malta, to Napoleon in 1798." (Riley-Smith, J. 2000, p.20)

The areas covered in the Crusades include Palestine and the eastern Mediterranean region as well as, "North Africa, Spain, the Baltic shores, Hungary, the Balkans, and even Western Europe. "(Riley-Smith, J. 2000, p.20)

Furthermore, the Muslims were not the only enemies of the Crusaders, who also fought against Pagan Wends, Baits and Lithuanians, Shamanist Mongols, Orthodox Russians and Greeks, Cathar and Hussite heretics. Crusades were also undertaken against Catholics who were against the papacy. (Riley-Smith, J. 2000, p.20)

The Crusades are usually divided into eight campaigns.

A the first, 1095-1101;

the second, headed by Louis VII, 1145-47;

the third, conducted by Philip Augustus and Richard Coeur-de-Lion, 1188-92;

the fourth, during which Constantinople was taken, 1204;

the fifth, which included the conquest of Damietta, 1217;

the sixth, in which Frederick II took part (1228-29); also Thibaud de Champagne and Richard of Cornwall (1239);

the seventh, led by St. Louis, 1249-52;

the eighth, also under St. Louis, 1270.

Crusades)

As has been mentioned, one of the central motivational aspects of these Crusades was religious belief and ideology. The Crusades were therefore conducted against the perceived Muslim "enemies" of the Christian world. However it is equally true that the Crusades were fought against many others who were perceived as being opposed to the power and the doctrines of Christian Rome. Even Catholic dissenters were targets of the Crusades. Therefore, the motivation for the Crusades can also be seen in the context of political power.

There are a number of other complex reasons and causes for the events of the Crusades.

Many of these can be related to religious concerns. The Crusades were instigated by the Catholic Church and were certainly aligned to the power of the Pope and the extension of the Papacy in the world.

From another and more holistic perspective, the Crusades can also be interpreted as the beginning of Western imperialism and possibly the start of later colonial incursions in the world. This is underlined by various scholarly views. "Thus the Crusades can be seen as a part in the chapter in Papal and religious history. In addition, the Crusades opened the first chapter in the history of Western imperialism" (McBall et al., 1982, p 447)

In more extensive political and geographical terms, the real reasons for the Crusades lie in the larger development of Western Europe in the Middle Ages. This development was closely connected to the emergent states in the Middle East and particularly to the situation with regard to the occupation of Spain.

After the death of Muhammad, Islamic armies from Arabic countries moved to dominate all of the Middle East, North Africa and most of Spain. The Seljuk Turks conquered large areas of the Middle East, including Palestine and Jerusalem. They also conquered part of the Byzantine Empire. (Corrick, James. 1995. p. 67)

These events were to prepare the ground for and lead to the First Crusade in a geopolitical sense.

One of the central reasons given for the Crusades, and a cause of the First Crusade, was the difficulty that Christian pilgrims experienced on journeys to the Middle East and particularly to Jerusalem. There were also personal motivations and causes for the Crusades. This is particularly related to the idea of "holy war" and the personal spiritual benefits that the crusaders could receive for taking part in these wars

While holy war had had a long history, the idea of penitential war was unprecedented in Christian thought. It meant that a crusade was for the crusader only secondarily about service in arms to God or benefiting the Church or Christianity; it was primarily about benefiting himself. He was engaged in an act of self-sanctification. (Riley-Smith, J. 2000, p.20)

Another aspect that needs to be taken into account is the social and cultural milieu at the time of First Crusade. The Middle Ages were a time when violence and the use of violence as a means towards various ends was not seen in the judgmental and pejorative sense that it is today. According to the Oxford History of the Crusades, during the Middle Ages,

Violence was everywhere, impinging on many aspects of daily life. Legal disputes, for instance, were often resolved by means of trial by battle or by recourse to painful and perilous ordeals. Around the time of the First Crusade it was becoming increasingly common for convicted felons to suffer death or mutilation, a departure from the traditional emphasis on compensating the victims or their families Brutality was so common it could be ritualistic. (Bull, 1999, p. 16/17)

The medieval Churches were also not exempt from the use of violent means and methods. As Bull (1999) states; "Historians used to believe that the Church had been pacifist in the early Christian centuries, but had then become contaminated by the values of its host societies in a process which culminated during the period when crusading was at its height,..." however, "The crucial element in the medieval world's relationship with violence was choice." (Bull, 1999, p. 16/17)

The Oxford History of the Crusades also emphasizes an important aspect in the assessment and understanding of the Crusades from a modern point-of-view. This is namely that modern perceptions, prejudices and stereotypes should be carefully considered before applying them to any interpretation or understanding of the Crusades. This is an important aspect that relates to a comprehensive historical view of this period.

It should be noted that the response of western Europeans to the First Crusade did not depend… READ MORE

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