Which best describes the purpose and outcomes of the First Crusade?
Pope Urban II called for crusaders to protect pilgrims and defend the Holy Land, resulting in Europeans recapturing Jerusalem.
Pope Urban II declared war against the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the capture of Istanbul by the Holy Roman Empire.
Pope Urban II called for protection of the Hagia Sophia and Constantinople, resulting in the defeat of Saladin.
Pope Urban II declared the Knights Templar heretics and Satanists, resulting in their torture and seizure of their property.
I would say option number 1 best describes the purpose of the First Crusade.
It is important to keep in mind that the Crusades were not started as a means to pillage the east. The Crusades started for three primary reasons...
1. Tales of pilgrim woe (protect the pilgrims)
2. Holy sites in jeopardy (defend the Christian holy sites)
3. 1095 Council of Clermont (called in response to Alexios Komnenos' plea for help)
so ... what's the answer?
The best option that describes the purpose and outcomes of the First Crusade is: Pope Urban II called for crusaders to protect pilgrims and defend the Holy Land, resulting in Europeans recapturing Jerusalem.
To arrive at this answer, let me explain the steps involved in determining the correct option:
1. Understand the context: The First Crusade took place in the 11th century and was a military campaign initiated by Pope Urban II to reclaim Jerusalem and defend Christian pilgrims.
2. Analyze the options:
a) Pope Urban II declared war against the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the capture of Istanbul by the Holy Roman Empire: This option is incorrect since the First Crusade did not involve the Ottoman Empire, which emerged centuries later. Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) was not captured by the Holy Roman Empire during the First Crusade.
b) Pope Urban II called for protection of the Hagia Sophia and Constantinople, resulting in the defeat of Saladin: This option is incorrect since the Hagia Sophia and Constantinople were not at the center of the First Crusade's goals. Saladin was a Muslim leader who rose to prominence after the First Crusade ended.
c) Pope Urban II declared the Knights Templar heretics and Satanists, resulting in their torture and seizure of their property: This option is incorrect since the Knights Templar were not declared heretics and Satanists until several centuries later, during the time of the Templar Trials.
d) Pope Urban II called for crusaders to protect pilgrims and defend the Holy Land, resulting in Europeans recapturing Jerusalem: This option aligns with the historical purpose and outcomes of the First Crusade. Pope Urban II did indeed call for crusaders to defend the Holy Land and protect Christian pilgrims. As a result, Jerusalem was recaptured by the European crusaders.
Therefore, the correct option is: Pope Urban II called for crusaders to protect pilgrims and defend the Holy Land, resulting in Europeans recapturing Jerusalem.