Why did Christians attack Jews during the crusades
During the Crusades, Christians targeted Jews for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons was the religious ideology that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. This belief, known as the deicide myth, fueled anti-Semitic attitudes among Christians and led to violence against Jewish communities.
Additionally, Jews were often viewed as outsiders and were perceived as a threat to Christian dominance in the Holy Land. As Europeans embarked on the Crusades to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control, they also sought to eliminate any potential rivals or enemies along the way, including Jews.
Furthermore, some Christians believed that by attacking and converting Jews to Christianity, they were fulfilling a religious duty to spread their faith. This missionary zeal often resulted in forced conversions and violence against Jewish communities.
Overall, a combination of religious, political, and social factors contributed to the persecution of Jews during the Crusades.