Introduction

The crusades form an important part of the western civilization. They refer to a series of religious and political wars that were fought between 1096 and 1291 for the control of the Holy Land.  These crusades were portrayed as holy wars against the Islam led by Popes and fought by religious fanatics.  Fighters in these holy wars were determined to gain and keep control over Palestine from Muslims. According to the fighters, Palestine was a Holy Land since Jesus lived there and hence it was not appropriate to have Muslims in control. In essence, these crusades were organized to recover or defend territories that Christians strongly believed belonged to them by right. The crusades involved many European countries such as England, Germany, and France amongst others (Weiss & Mahoney, 2004). In fact, the crusade movements involved men and women from almost every country in Europe and had significant impact in almost every aspect of life. They happened during a time when everything was solved through fights (Armstrong, 2001). As a result, the crusades brought about massive loss of lives as several people were killed during the fight of claiming the land. Besides the numerous losses of lives, the crusade also had significant impacts on political, economic, religious, social and art in the western culture. This paper will have an in depth analysis of the effects of crusades.

Effects of the crusades

As aforementioned the crusades had major impact on political, religious, social and cultural setting of the westerners. To start with, the crusades had major impact on the Catholic Church. It is important to note that these crusades brought about massive increase in the wealth of the Catholic Church as well as the power of the pope (Weiss & Mahoney, 2004). It is worth noting that the prominent part that the Popes played during the crusades only increased their power and influence.  All the crusades were lead by Popes and hence the people view on these popes was a reflection of true leaders (Latham, 2011). As to the wealth of the churches and monasteries, this was augmented enormously by the sale to them, often for a mere fraction of their actual value, of the estates of those preparing for the expeditions, or by the out and out gift of the lands of such in return for prayers and pious benedictions. In essence, the crusades had major impact on the power and influence of the Papacy and the Catholic Church to the rest of the world.

It is also prudent to note that the crusades had significant impact on the economy. The crusade era was a very busy moments where a lot of business activities were transacted. For instance, there was a constant demand for transportation of men and women as well as supplies of goods used by the crusaders. As the demand for transport increased, there was increased ship –building as well as extended market for eastern wares in Europe. The products of Alexandria, Damascus, Cairo, Mosul, and other great cities were carried across the Mediterranean to the Italian seaports, hence they found their way into all European lands (Armstrong, 2001). The elegance of the Orient, with its silks, tapestries, precious stones, perfumes, spices, pearls, and ivory, was so enchanting that an enthusiastic crusader called it “the vestibule of Paradise.

The crusades are also known to have had significant impact on the political front. One of the most notable political contributions by the crusades is the fact that they helped to break down the power of the feudal aristocracy and lead to prominence to kings and the people. Many of the nobles who set out on the expeditions never returned, and their estates, through failure of heirs, escheated to the Crown; while many more wasted their fortunes in meeting the expenses of their undertaking. On the same note, major cities involved in these crusades also gained political advantages at the expense of the crusading barons and princes (Latham, 2011). Also, the other political effects of the Crusades were that in checking the advance of the Turks the fall of Constantinople was postponed for three centuries or more (Weiss & Mahoney, 2004). This gave the early Christian civilization of Germany time to acquire sufficient strength to roll back the returning tide of Mohammedan invasion when it broke upon Europe in the fifteenth century. 

The crusades were also known to have significant contribution to the social status of the western people. For instance, it is said that the crusades afforded an opportunity for romantic adventure. As the people engaged in fight over the Holy Land, there was intercultural engagements that only lead to improved social life. It is prudent to note that the crusades offered an opportunity to foster influence if Chivalry. The crusades made the West to have contact with the East society which was an opportunity for general refining influence. The East at the time of the Middle Ages surpassed the West in civilization (Armstrong, 2001). As a result, the interaction between the two societies was a platform for liberalization as crusaders got into contact with unfamiliar people.  Additionally, the knowledge of the science and learning of the East gained by the crusaders through their expeditions, greatly stimulated the Latin intellect, and helped to awaken in Western Europe that mental activity which resulted finally in the great intellectual outburst known as the Revival of Learning and the period of the Renaissance (Biagi, 2007).

It is also prudent to note that the crusades had significance contribution towards the western art.  The crusades brought together artists and patrons from different backgrounds and traditions. The interaction between diversified traditions brought about emergence of new forms of expressions amongst the westerners. For instance, frescos, sculptures, mosaics, and coins were a true reflection of the blend of western (Latin/catholic) and Eastern (Byzantine/eastern Christian) traditions. It is also prudent to note that the crusaders appeared in histories as well as in French and German epic poetry from the 12^th century (Biagi, 2007). For instance, the Chanson d’Antioche, an account of the 1098 siege in Antioch is a good example of poetry that is connected to crusade movements. In a nutshell, the crusade movement did not only bring about massive loss of lives but also had major impacts on political, social, economic and artistic life to the westerners.

References

Armstrong, K. (2001). Holy war. New York: Anchor Books.

Biagi, S. (2007). Media / impact. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Latham, A. (2011). Theorizing the Crusades: Identity, Institutions, and Religious War in Medieval Latin Christendom1. International Studies Quarterly, 55(1), 223-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2478.2010.00642.x

Weiss, D. & Mahoney, L. (2004). France and the Holy land. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

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