1. Western Historians cite different reasons as to why thousands of Europeans embarked on the Crusades, but most identify spiritual motivations as the strongest. For many Muslim historians, the over-riding explanation for why Christians went on the Crusades was to pillage and destroy a civilization at its peak. Discuss the different reasons for these two distinct interpretations and their implications for relations between Western and Muslim countries today.
These two interpretations were brought about because of what happened during that time period and what motivated the Christians to do what they did. Europeans define their motivation as spiritual, while the Muslims define it as the need to be the best and conquer. The Christians were heavily influenced by the spiritual because of Pope Urban II. He told them that this was a holy war and God would forgive them for all of their sins if they had fought in this war. Many people were firm believers that they would be ensured a spot in heaven. Pope Urban was so influential that people really listened to him and his speeches. The Muslims thought in a totally different way because the Christians tried to take over the land that they had rightfully won. By this point, many people were becoming Muslims, but the Christians were beginning to really believe that their religion was the superior one. Once the Christians captured Jerusalem, they were told to kill all of the Jews and Muslims, however when the Muslim leader Saladin recaptured Jerusalem, he ordered that the Christians be spared. The Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike all believed that this piece of land was scared for various reasons. The Christians believed it was where their God was crucified and the Muslims believe that it is where their prophet Muhammad was taken to heaven. This piece of land is scared to both faiths, and will cause problems because they both want the land very badly, not to mention the Jews.
2. Discuss the different ways Pope...