History

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The Crusades Seen as a Whole Had Primarily Negative Consequences for Europe

The Crusades referred to the series of military campaigns that Western European Christians carried out in to free the Holy Land from Muslim control . From 1096 to the late 13th century , these religious wars were waged against both internal and external opponents of Christianity The Crusades , however , eventually became any (form of ) military effort by Europeans against non-Christians (MSN Encarta , n . pag . Under the guise of militant Christianity , it was used

as a means of European expansion (MSN Encarta , n . pag

Most of the effects of the Crusades in Europe proved to be very detrimental . For one , the power of the Papacy was increased . Crusaders who were either preparing for battle or returning home from combat gave vast tracts of land to the Roman Catholic Church in exchange for prayers and pious benedictions (Middle-Ages .org .uk , n . pag . Consequently , the Pope abruptly became more affluent and influential than most monarchies during this period . This sudden increase in wealth , in turn , allowed him to institute both spiritual and secular supremacy over the royalty (Info , n . pag

It is no longer surprising , therefore , if the Popes during the Crusades were always involved in power struggles and disputes with several European monarchs . Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I and King Henry II of England were embroiled in a squabble with Pope Alexander III . Despite strong opposition from Emperor Otto IV and Emperor Frederick II , Pope Innocent...