Courtney+Myers

1. Introduction--Describe a general cause or causes of the conflict
Two general causes of the Crusades were schism and greed. Another cause was miscommunication.

2. Background--Describe who, what when and where.
The crusades involved Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The first crusade lasted from 1096 to 1099, the second one lasted from 1146 to 1148, and the third lasted from 1189 to 1192. They took place in Jerusalem, Clermont, Constantinople, Europe, and North Africa. The first Crusade was led by four nobles and 30,000 crusaders. The second Crusade was included a German army, and an army led by the King of France. The third Crusade was led by Richard the Lionheart and Salah al-Din. The Pope, children, Seljuks, the Emporor, and knights were also involved in the Crusades.

3. Causal Factors--Describe three factors that led to The Crusades.
One cause that played a primary role in launching the Crusades was extreme religious devotion, both Christian and Muslim. But, the most immediate cause for the Crusades was also the most obvious:Muslim incursions into previously Christian lands. Muslims were invading Christian lands to convert the inhabitants and gain control in the name of Islam.

4. Most Important Factor--Explain how one factor was more important than the others.
One factor that is more important than the others is religious devotion. Religion made Muslims and Christians act out irrationally and start a war. They thought their religion should be the only religion. And, to make this happen, they were willing to kill and torture to get people to convert to their religion. They were weren't willing to slow down enough to realize what they were about to do, and

5. Impacts--Explain how one religous group and an individual within that group were impacted by The Crusades.
Usama ibn Munqidh was a Muslim poet, author, soldier, and diplomat from Syria. In 1131, he was exiled and spent the rest of his life serving other leaders like Saladin, Nur ad-Din, and Zengi for almsot 50 years. Later being exiled from Damascus and Cairo because he meddled in the politics of court. Immmediately after he bacame a famous poet, he started writing poetry, one of which is called "Book of COntemplation", which contains lengthy descriptions of the crusaders, some of which he called friends, but mostly barbarians. In Cairo, Usama was involed in many conspiracies and plots, and later became one of Ibn al-Sallar's advisors. As-Sallar sent Usama to negotiate an alliance with the crusaders with Nur ad-Din, but the negotiations failed. In 1154, Usama brouht his family to Damascus, which was through crusader territory. The crusaders promised to transport them safely, but they were attacked and pillaged. = =

6. Conclusion--Explain how The Crusades could have been avoided.
The Crusades could have easily been avoided by seeing things from someone else's point of view. By doing this, Muslims and Christians could have realized what they were doing was completely wrong and unjust. Muslims could have worked it out by talking to Christians before they started a war because of miscommunication. If they were willing to slow down enough to realize what they were about to do before the first Crusade, thousands of lives could have been daved that didn't even need to be lost in the first place. Works Cited--List your sources in MLA format.

Pomoni, Christinia. "The Lasting Effects of the Crusades." articlesbase.com. June 27, 2009. Whitestrips.3dWhite.com. March 1, 2010. []

Cline,Austin. "Perspectives and Religion in the Crusades." about.com. November 25, 2009. eLearning.com/Religion. March 1, 2010. __atheism.about.com/od/crusades/a/crusadesviews_2.htm.__

None. "Seige of Jerusalem (1099)." wikipedia.com.None. None. March 1, 2010. []

None."The After-Effects of the Crusades: Muslim Christian Relationship". wikianswers.com. None. Toyata. February 28, 2010. []

None. "Usama Ibn Munquidh." [|www.edu]. January 18, 2007. None. February 28, 2010. h[|ttp://www.iun.edu/~histjbp/Hist113Readings/ArabViewCrusaders.html]