How were the Crusades connected to the European voyages of Exploration?
Answers
- Transformations in Shipbuilding
That day in France, Pope Urban launched more than a religious war, however. During the two centuries that the eight Crusades would last, a radical transformation in world exploration, cross-cultural exchange and trade occurred. Because European armies unprecedented in size needed to be transported long distances, shipbuilding became a thriving industry. Crusaders returning from the Middle East brought with them perfumes, spices, silk tapestries and gems, as well as food items like rice, spices, sherbet, dates and coffee. This created a demand that European traders -- especially those in Spain, Portugal and Italy, countries with coastlines as long as their sea-faring traditions -- were only too happy to fill.
- Trade Turns to Exploration
These riches, however, were scarce, and this led European explorers further afield in search of new trading opportunities -- the voyages of Marco Polo, begun as the last Crusades were drawing to a close, are a classic example of for-profit trading journeys turning into ones of exploration. Some historians claim that Christopher’s Columbus’ voyages to America were an indirect result of the Crusades, since one of Columbus' goals was to thwart "the sect of Mahomet," as he wrote in his journal. Going even further, Carol Delaney, author of “Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem," argues that Columbus’ first voyage was the direct result of a desire to find gold with which to finance a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem from the Muslims. (However, this point of view is disputed by historians and remains highly controversial.)
CulturalA Cross- Exchange
Another effect of the Crusades was to expose Europe to Islamic science, mathematics, art and military science. Europeans learned about chess, algebra, Arabic numbers and irrigation from the Islamic world. Ironically, the Muslims became better builders of fortified castles after the Crusader invasions, and these innovations found their way back to Europe. Muslim universities, established as early as the 7th century, became models for European universities. And Muslims themselves benefited from the trade in textiles from Byzantium and northern Europe.
Military Failure, Cultural Success
The Crusades were a military failure for Christianity, since Christians did not ultimately succeed in their stated goal of recovering the Holy Land from the Muslims. However, they were in fact a political and cultural victory for Europe on a grand scale. The Crusades opened up new trading markets, new ideas and new global vistas to Europeans. Thomas F. Madden, author of “The New Concise History of the Crusades,” writes, “It is one of the remarkable events in history that the Latin West … suddenly burst forth with amazing new energy, neutralizing its enemies and expanding across the globe.”
Answer: The Crusades stimulated the expansion of trade between East and West, which led to European discovery
Explanation:
The Crusades stimulated the expansion of trade between East and West, which led to European discovery. Crusaders saw things such as rich silks and spices that were inaccessible at home throughout their travels. This resulted in a tremendous growth in international trade as well as Westerners' worldwide exploration. The opulent commodities they saw in the Holy Land drew Europeans in. They tried different flavours such as spices, fruits, peppers, and ginger. They also learnt about modern navigation technologies. The Crusades would eventually encourage Europeans to seek commerce elsewhere. Religious reasons may be traced back to the Crusades, a series of religious warfare that took place between the 11th and 15th centuries.
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