DBQ Essay: Motives For The First Crusades

There were many motives for the first crusade, which included the taking Jerusalem, the forgiveness of sins, and the greater chance of going to heaven. The motives generally revolved around religious beliefs. People during that time thought that some of their sins would be lifted by going on the crusades. Others wanted to take back the holy land. Based off of the documents, the first crusade was based on varying opinions on religious ideas, with the take back of Jerusalem, and the ignorance of other religions, including the varying opinions of each others gods.
The religious leader of the Franks, Pope Urban, gave a speech at the Council of Clermot, declaring the need for a crusade against the muslims. Pope Urban’s speech largely displays the intolerance of other religions from the Christians.. Pope Urban stated “a race utterly alienated from god...has invaded the land of those Christians” (Document 1). He was referring to the Muslims overtaking the Holy Land. He found this to be a good reason to declare a crusade against the Muslims and to take back Jerusalem. He said this declaring a crusade against the Muslims. Pope Urban’s speech gave reason …show more content…
Some were pushed to go on a crusade through the belief that they would have a greater chance of going to heaven, others were sick or famined and were easily triggered into going on a crusade, Document 2 shed light on these reasons. Document 4 states “the simpler minded were urged on by the real desire of worshipping at our Lord’s Sepulchre, and visiting the sacred places.” This Document portrays the reasons for going on the crusade was the thought of taking back Jerusalem and being able to worship at the “Lord’s city”. Count Stephen states “that of gold, silver, and many other kinds of riches I now have twice as much as your love had assigned to me when I left you”(Document 5). This represented the thought of God giving them more riches for going