Tyler+Smith

1. Introduction--Describe a general cause or causes of the conflict.
There were many causes for the crusades. But, one of the major causes of the Crusades was the common want of Jerusalem between the Christians and the Muslims. The Muslims were the owners of the city at the date of 1076. But, the Christians invaded the Holy City and a war began. From the years 1095 to around 1291, the end of the crusades, Jerusalem had been overthrown many times.

2. Background--Describe who, what when and where.

 * Who: The Christians, the Muslims and the Jews
 * What: The Crusades were a series of military campaigns that took place in the time of Medieval England. The Muslims had control of Jerusalem, an important city to Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike. The Christians attacked Jerusalem and the Muslims fought to keep their holy city.
 * When: The Crusades started around the year 1095 and ended around 1291
 * Where: There were a total of nine Crusades and they took place in many different cities and towns. There were located in Israel, Turkey, Jerusalem, Tarsus, Egypt and many other improtant cities.

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

 * 1) The Seljuks took control of Palestine, which caused traveling to be unsafe for a time.
 * 2) The Seljuks advance threatened the Holy City of Jerusalem.
 * 3) The Christians want control over Jerusalem.

4. Most Important Factor--Explain how one factor was more important than the others.
I think that the Seljuks taking over Palestine was the most important factor to the start of the crusades. When they took over, there was a political turmoil, which made traveling unsafe for people traveling to Jerusalem. Christians began to frea that they would not be able to visit Jerusalem ever again, for highway robbers had began attacking and even killing Christian pilgrims. In result, the Christians tried to take over the Holy Land so traveling would become easier and safer for travelers.

5. Impacts--Explain how one religous group and an individual within that group were impacted by The Crusades.
The Christians were affected by the crusades in many ways. Kings started heavy tax systems, knights started banking funds and monarchs gained power, which contributed to the end of feudalism. After this, people started to live different lives. But one man, Peter the Hermit, stood out from the rest. This man made a tour of France and Germany and gathered knights, laborers, tradesmen and peasants. Peter and his army fought their way from Europe all the way to Jerusalem. He and his men took over Jerusalem. = =

6. Conclusion--Explain how The Crusades could have been avoided.
I believe that the Crusades could have been avoided. If the Seljuks hadn't taken over Palestine, then the Crusades would not have taken place. When they took it over, the Christians became afraid they wouldnt be able to visit Jerusalem again. So, they took over Jerusalem. But, if they hadn't had the fright they would lose the ability to visit Jerusalem, the Crusades would not have began.

7. Works Cited--List your sources in MLA format.
"Peter the Hermit" NNBD March 2, 2010 []

McFall, J. Arthur "Who's Who in Medieval and the Renaissance" March 2, 2010 []