The Crusades Causes

Words: 346
Pages: 2

In 1065 Europe and the Middle East was in chaos. These dark times of destruction and war were called the Crusades. The Crusades in essence was a war over the ownership of Jerusalem, the holy city. Causes of the Crusades include the preaching of the Pope, the desire of pilgrimage to the Christians, and the tension between the Turks and Byzantines. Jerusalem was taken in 1065 by the Turks, which lead to over 3000 Christians slaughtered and persecuted. This angered the Christians causing the desire to take back the holy land. Meanwhile the Turks had started to invade farther out west, causing the Byzantines to panic and call out for help. The Byzantines and Europe already had a common enemy, so all was left was the issue of uniting the