Among the most consequential events in history, are the crusades that took place from 1095-1291. During these events, an estimated one million to nine million people were killed, the Christians gained control over Jerusalem, and the world would never be the same. On these expeditions, whose original purpose was to recapture Jerusalem, the crusaders besieged, conquered, and killed the inhabitants of cities along the way. When they finally reached the Holy City, they proceeded to sack the city and kill its inhabitants. Despite the mission being so gory, tens of thousands of Christians across Europe willingly participated in the many crusades. An exceptionally large amount of Christians partook in the crusades because of the influence from both
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Through various methods, they were able to effectively motivate crusading by spreading and publicizing its incentives. As with the influential figures, the two main kinds of perks were secular and religious. Pope Urban II, a religious leader, promised forgiveness of sins, or salvation, to those who crusade. In his initial call to crusade he also talked about how their Christian brethren were in a time of need (Miller, Rooney …show more content…
However the name was changed specifically to a “holy war” because of the implications that were tied to that name(Throop 4). A holy war entails everything that a just war entails, and more. Just wars, are wars that need to occur. For example a war fought over oil or trade does not need to occur. Just wars must have a just cause, legitimate authority, and the right intentions(Throop 4). All these stipulations are subjective, but in the eyes of Christians, fighting for Jerusalem was a necessary and just cause, popes and kings were legitimate authorities, and granting Christ a universal republic was a good intention. So the Crusades met all of the criteria for a just war. However, just wars, while considered to be less evil than normal wars, could still be considered evil. So in order to erase any doubts about morality or questionable behavior that crusading may entail, the crusades were labeled a holy war(Throop 4). So a holy war met all the criteria that a just war met. Additionally a holy war meant that God was considered to be waging war, not just the popes and kings(Throop 4). Pope Urban II explained that “the Lord prays and exhorts you, as heralds of Christ” to Crusade(Miller, Rooney 2). Since God was waging war, the crusaders were simply the soldiers or tools in God’s army, attempting to protect the Christian republic that He desired(Throop
Through various methods, they were able to effectively motivate crusading by spreading and publicizing its incentives. As with the influential figures, the two main kinds of perks were secular and religious. Pope Urban II, a religious leader, promised forgiveness of sins, or salvation, to those who crusade. In his initial call to crusade he also talked about how their Christian brethren were in a time of need (Miller, Rooney …show more content…
However the name was changed specifically to a “holy war” because of the implications that were tied to that name(Throop 4). A holy war entails everything that a just war entails, and more. Just wars, are wars that need to occur. For example a war fought over oil or trade does not need to occur. Just wars must have a just cause, legitimate authority, and the right intentions(Throop 4). All these stipulations are subjective, but in the eyes of Christians, fighting for Jerusalem was a necessary and just cause, popes and kings were legitimate authorities, and granting Christ a universal republic was a good intention. So the Crusades met all of the criteria for a just war. However, just wars, while considered to be less evil than normal wars, could still be considered evil. So in order to erase any doubts about morality or questionable behavior that crusading may entail, the crusades were labeled a holy war(Throop 4). So a holy war met all the criteria that a just war met. Additionally a holy war meant that God was considered to be waging war, not just the popes and kings(Throop 4). Pope Urban II explained that “the Lord prays and exhorts you, as heralds of Christ” to Crusade(Miller, Rooney 2). Since God was waging war, the crusaders were simply the soldiers or tools in God’s army, attempting to protect the Christian republic that He desired(Throop