2.3.1

Origins of the Crusades

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The Holy Land

Jerusalem and the Holy Land (biblical Israel and Palestine) were important religious sites for Jews, Muslims and Christians.

The Islamic Empire

The Islamic Empire

  • The Islamic Empire began in 7th Century AD.
  • At its height, the Empire covered land between India and Spain.
  • Arab Muslims conquered the Holy Land in 638 AD. As such, they believed it was rightfully theirs.
Islam’s claim on the Holy Land

Islam’s claim on the Holy Land

  • Jerusalem was particularly important to Islam, this was because it was where Prophet Muhammad was believed to have ascended to Heaven in 621 AD.
  • Muslim pilgrims went to the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque (the mosque where Muhammad spoke before going to the heavens).
Christianity’s claim on the Holy Land

Christianity’s claim on the Holy Land

  • However, Islam was not the only religion to hold a claim on Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
  • According to the Bible, Jerusalem was where Jesus Christ had died.
  • The body of Jesus Christ, according to Christians, was buried in Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was believed to be built on his tomb. For centuries, many Christians went on pilgrimages to the Church.
Judaism’s claim on the Holy Land

Judaism’s claim on the Holy Land

  • Similarly, Jews also staked a claim on the Holy Land.
  • According to the Torah, Jerusalem was where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac (his son) for God.
  • It was also believed that King David (king of the Jews) established Jewish rule over Jerusalem in 1,000 BC.
Jump to other topics
1

Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1

The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2

The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3

The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4

The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5

Medieval Religion

1.6

The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7

How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8

Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9

Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10

Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11

Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12

European Renaissance

1.13

Norman Conquest & Control

1.14

Historical Skills

2

The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1

Anglo-Saxon England

2.2

The Contest for the English Throne

2.3

Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4

King John

2.5

The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6

The Black Death

3

Worldviews

4

The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5

The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6

The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7

The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8

Religion in the Middle Ages

9

Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10

The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11

The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12

US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13

The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14

The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15

Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16

World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17

The Russian Revolution: 1917 AD

18

The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

19

World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

20

The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

21

Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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