The Crusades were first undertaken in 1096 and ended in the late 13th century.
The term Crusade was originally applied solely to European efforts to retake from the
Muslims the city of Jerusalem, which was sacred to Christians as the site of the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ. It was later used to designate any military effort by Europeans against
non-Christians.
The Crusaders carved out feudal states in the Near East. Thus the Crusades are an
important early part of the story of European expansion and colonialism. They mark the
first time Western Christendom undertook a military initi…
