According to Christians, the

land whereJesus lived, preached,

was crucified, and

resurrected was the

Holy Land.

During the European Middle Ages, Muslims gained control of the Holy Land.

At first, Muslim rulers allowedChristian pilgrims to visit theHoly Land.

However, by the early eleventh century,Muslim rulers were less accommodatingof Christian pilgrims entering theHoly Land.

By 1095 A.D., Pope Urban II calledfor a Crusade. A crusade was a holywar or a war for religion.

A series of holy wars were foughtbetween Christians and Muslimsfor control of the Holy Land.

For over two hundred years, Christiansfought. But ultimately, Muslimskept control of the Holy Land. Afterall of the fighting andall of the suffering, the land remainedin the hands of Muslim rulers.

Yet the Crusades greatly changedEuropean history.

Cultural diffusion greatly increasedas Western European Crusaders learned new ideas and receivednew products from the Muslimsof Southwest Asia or the Middle East.

Western Europeans gained accessto many Muslim ideas and inventions.

It is important to remember that during the European Middle Ages,Islamic civilization experienceda golden age or a time of greatachievements.

Historians frequently refer to the Crusades as “successful failures”.Crusaders did not permanentlygain control of the Holy Land butreceived important ideas, ideasthat furthered progress.

But while Europeans greatly benefitedfrom new ideas and knowledge, many people were killed during the Crusadesand religious intolerance and mistrustincreased.