The High and Late Middle ages

Section 3: The Crusades and the Wider World

The World in 1050 ► In 1050 many

civilizations had been established around the world, but Europeans knew little about them.

► In the 1050s the Seljuk Turks invaded the Byzantine empire and came to control the Holy Land, where Europe’s Christians had made pilgrimages.

The Crusades ► The Byzantine emperor asked

Pope Urban II for help in fighting the Muslim Turks, and the pope then called for the First Crusade, a campaign to take back the Holy Land.

► The Crusades continued for over 200 years, with the Muslims retaining their control in the end.

► With the Crusades, trade between the Byzantine empire and European states increased and money economies were created.

► Travelers began to explore other lands. Monarchs and the pope gained power.

The Reconquista

► The Christian campaign to drive the Muslims from the Iberian peninsula was known as the Reconquista.

► The Christians were successful, and Spain and Portugal came into being as states.

► Spain’s Ferdinand and Isabella had many non-Christians tried by the Inquisition and punished.