The Crusades were a series of tragic wars fought between Christians and Muslims for control the Holy Land.
The city of Jerusalem (Palestine) was the center of faith for three major world religions. It was conquered by Islam in the 600s A.D. In 1095 Pope Urban II called for a crusade to free Jerusalem from Muslim control.
Side note: The word crusade comes from the word Crux, which means cross in Latin. Those who volunteered were called crusaders, meaning that they took the cross of Jesus upon them, literally wearing a red cross on their clothing.
Crusaders were promised that they would receive an indulgence (ticket to eternal life) if they died while fighting for Christianity. As a result, many died, including Jews, during their two year journey to Jerusalem. When they finally laid siege upon the city, they had to surround it for months. When the city fell, the Crusaders thought they had won, but they were unable to retain control.
Eight more crusades followed, but the Christian hold on the area continually weakened. In 1291 A.D., Muslims captured the last European hold-out in the area and the Crusades came to an end.
In Class Activities:
- Viewed an animated map of the world, showing the spread of major religions - took particular note of the region of Jerusalem
- Reviewed the differences between the church in Western Rome and the Byzantine empire
- Named the three religions of the Holy Land, and discussed why the land was important to each
- Learned about the migration of the Seljuk Turks
- Discussed the closing of Jerusalem to pilgrims
- Mapped the geographical issues that made maintaining Christian control of Jerusalem difficult
- Made red crosses to add to our history notebooks
- Continued weaving our blanket
Optional Lesson Extension Activities:
- Watch any version of Robin Hood. This movie is set during the Crusades. Consider the impact that the Crusades had on those who remained at home.
- Make your own stained glass out of shrink film (or plastic cups) and sharpies
- Learn more about the Children's Crusade
Assignment Due 11/15/2016:
- Read History Cards MA 16-18
- Practice your timeline
