Your analysis of the Crusades, fought during the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries (1000-1200) is determined by your viewpoint; ie, whether you were Islamic Turk or a Christian European. Also involved was the Byzantine Empire, made up of mostly Eastern Orthodox Christians, who wanted to keep everything like is was with free access to all religions to the Holy Lands. Then there were inhabitants of the Holy Land who saw everyone as an invader. There were four major crusades but many historians list as many as 12.

A brief chronological review is listed below:

1071-Holy Land, especially Jerusalem, captured by Seljuk Turks who were Muslims, of the Islamic faith, interfering with the pilgrimages there by Christians.

1095-Pope Urban II calls for a crusade to free the Holy Land from the "Infidels," i.e., non-Christians.

1096- First Crusade- Most successful crusade; captures Jerusalem in 1099 and parts of Asia Minor, establishing the Latin Kingdom in the Middle East, made of County of Edessa, County of Tripoli, Principality of Antioch and the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and Norman Italy.

1146- Second Crusade- French and german Crusaders lose, Edessa; Byzantines' only involvement in Crusades ends in failure to capture Damascus.

1187-- Third Crusade --"Crusades of Kings": Frederick Barbarossa of Germany, Philip Augustus of France, Richard I, the Lion-hearted of England recapture Acre; ends in truce between Richard and Saladin Yusuf Ibn Ayyub, leader of the Seljuk Turks, granting right of pilgrims to enter Jerusalem for pilgrimages.

1198-- Fourth Crusade- the "Trader Crusade"--Mediterranean merchants join the Crusaders; never reached the Holy Lands; instead,; plundered Byzantine Empire in 1204 and established trade ports in Latin Kingdom.

1212- "Children's Crusade"-- 30,000 French and 20,000 German children walk to Holy Land. most die or are enslaved; less than 3,000 return.

1219-- Fifth Crusade --capture of Damietta in Egypt; never reaches the Holy Land.

1228-- Sixth Crusade --Frederick II leads most moral crusades; gains only negotiated access to Jerusalem.

1. Stimulated Trade and Towns

2. Strengthened the Kings or Central Power

3. Weakened Serfdom

4. Encouraged learning

1. to unite European Christians in a common cause

2. to make the kings and noble vassals under his spiritual leadership

3. to subject the Eastern orthodox churches to Rome

4. to return the Holy Lands to Christian control

1. Religious convictions--they viewed the Holy Lands as rightfully theirs, and, in a Holy War, dying for the cause led to salvation.

2. The kings and nobles saw the opportunity for glory at home and the power of landholdings in the Middle East.

3. Merchants saw a chance for quick gain and a chance for trade expansion.

4. The lower classes could (a) have their taxes canceled or paid by the church; (b) avoid jail by going; (c) plunder for personal gain.

1. never a supreme commander-power struggles between kings, knights, and nobles led to disunity.

2. Poor tactics and strategy and the inability to adapt to military methods suitable from the region and the enemy.

3. Lack of geographical knowledge.

4. Refusal to swear allegiance to Byzantine emperor and receive his support and information.

5. Difficulties in maintaining supplies led to "barbarian" acts by civilized Europeans.

6. Established a castle defense only along the coast and never incorporated the allegiance of the local people.