Causes of the First Crusade
* The Seljuk Turks had captured Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Byzantine Empire in 1071. This angered Christians in Europe, who felt that it was their duty to protect the holy sites.
* Pope Urban II called for a crusade in 1095 at the Council of Clermont. He promised that those who died on crusade would be granted instant access to Heaven.
* Thousands of Europeans responded to Pope Urban II's call and set off for the Holy Land. They included knights, peasants, and even women and children.
Effects of the First Crusade
* The Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 and established the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
* The First Crusade also led to the rise of chivalry, a code of conduct for knights.
* The First Crusade marked the beginning of a long period of conflict between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. It was followed by five more Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries.
* The Crusades contributed to the decline of the Byzantine Empire.
* The Crusades brought new ideas and technologies to Europe from the Middle East. This helped to spark the Renaissance.