Causes+of+the+Crusades

__Causes of the Crusades__ __ Jerusalem __ The main and most important reason of the Crusades was centered around Jerusalem. For Christians, it was a very religious place because it was where Jesus died. For Muslims, it was here Muhammad ascended to Heaven. In 1065, the Turks captured it so the Christians declared a crusade in order to take it back. **__3000 Christian Pilgrims Massacred in Jerusale__**﻿__**m**__ In the 11th century, 3000 Christian Pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem. They did not know that had been captured by the Turks. However, soon after they arrived, they realized that it was no longer a Christian city. The Turks captured, insulted, and perseucted in every way that the Turks could think of. Also, they destroyed all of the Christian churches and turnd them into stables.**__ ﻿ __** **__ The Preaching of Peter the Hermit __** Peter the Hermit was from Picardy, which is in France. He was commisioned by Pope Urban II to deliver speeches that would make people want to join the First Crusade. He traveled all over Italy and France where he would preach the First Crusade. He preached in churches, on the street, and in the fields. Many people came to the speeches and were moved by his firey speeches. In his speeches, he would talk about the Christians that were massacred and he talked about Jerusalem being polluted by Muslims **__ Pope Urban II and the Council of Clermont __** In 1095, Pope Urban II called a council in the city of Clermont, France. He was the main speaker at the event. His methods of convincing people to join the crusades were picturing the misery of the provinces of Asia and by explaining people that didn't even believe in Jesus were living and in control of Jerusalem. Shortly after the council, the First Crusade started.