Micah+Smith

__ 1. Introduction--Describe a general cause or causes of the conflict .__ toc
= = I think the general cause of the crusades was greed. The Muslims were becoming greedy and trying to claim too much territory. Although, I also think Pope Urban II wasn't wanting the Muslims to become vert powerful. In my opinion, he was also being greedy. I am a christian, but I think that my information isn't biased. At times I might be, but not very often.

__2. Background--Describe who, what when and where.__
** __WHO__ **
 * Some of the important in the crusades were Pope Urban II, who started the crusades, King Richard, who fought in the third crusade, Salah al-Din, who was a Muslim leader, and Elizer ben-Nathan, who was a poet and writer.


 * __WHAT__ **
 * The C hristians were afraid that the Muslims were going to invade Constantinople and continue to expand into Europe. The Christians were also trying to retake the Holy Land from the Muslims. The Jews were caught in the middle of this rivalry and were treated harshly for having a different faith.

**__ WHEN __**
 * 1095- In 1095 Pope Urban II called for the crusades.
 * 1096- 1099- 1096-1099 was the time period for the first crusade.
 * 1146- 1148- 1146-1148 was the time period for the second crusade.
 * 1189- 1192- 1189-1192 was the time period for the third crusade.
 * 1202- 1204- 12202-1204 was the time period for the fourth crusade.

__WHERE__ **
 * Europe: Clermont, Germany, Spain
 * Asia Minor: Constantinople, Alatolian Peninsula, Turkey
 * Middle East: Jerusalem, Acre, Antioch, Damascus
 * Africa: (Muslim territory )

__3. Causal Factors--Describe three factors that led to The Crusades.__

 * The Muslims were expanding into Europe/Asia.
 * The Christians were angry at the Muslims for killing Christian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.
 * Some groups saw the crusades as a way to gain land.

__4. Most Important Factor--Explain how one factor was more important than the others.__
I think the most important factor is Pope Urban II's fear of the Muslims expanding too far into Europe. The Muslims were becoming too powerful and I think Pope Urban II was feeling greedy and he wanted more territory. This shows how greedy some people can be and how they can not want someone to be as powerful or even close to their level in power.

I think that the second most important factor would be the Christians being angry at the Muslims for killing the Christian pilgrims. It is important because the Christians were probably really angry at the Muslims and they didn't want to have to deal with it anymore. This shows the power of fighting fire with fire but even though the Christians were "burned" a few times, they succeded in the end.

In my opinion, having some crusaders seeing the crusades as a way to gain land is the least important factor for the crusades. It doesn't have a big significance in starting the crusades. It's just a bunch of people being greedy.

__5. Impacts--Explain how one religous group and an individual within that group were impacted by The Crusades.__
The Jews we greatly effected by the crusades. The Christians had a "convert or die" rule. Many jews killed themselves or killed their family because they didn't want to change their faith. There was one Jewish poet and writer named Elizer ben-Nathan. One of the things Eliezer was famous for teaching was: "Forsake not the teaching of thy mother!//" which means:// "What the older rabbis have prohibited we must not permit!" Eliezer disliked many of the Christian crusaders. He often asked God why he allow so many Jews to die.

__6. Conclusion--Explain how The Crusades could have been avoided.__
I think the crusades could have been avoided by everyone staying in their own territory. If people were just content with what they had, Pope Urban II wouldn't have had to be protective of his territory.

__7. Works Cited--List your sources in MLA format.__
Wikipedia contributors. "Eliezer ben-Nathan." __Wikipedia.__ 2/21/10. Wikipedia. 3/1/10. []

Grobman, Gary. "Who are the Jews?" __Remember.__ N/D Teacher's guide. 2/24/10. []

Wikipedia contributors. "History of Jews and the Crusades." __Wikipedia.__ 2/26/10. Wikipedia. 2/24/10. []

N/A. "Eliezer ben-Nathan." __State Master.__ N/D. N/O. 2/23/10. []