The Crusades were more the result of ulterior motives of benefit, rather than the desire to wipe out the Muslims. The Pope at the time, Pope Urban, wanted the Crusades for his own benefit. The knights and had also gone on the Crusades for themselves. Everyday laymen also went on the Crusades to benefit themselves. Merchants went to profit themselves as well. Christians and Muslims at some points in history were even able to live in harmony. The Crusades was not an example of a clash of civilizations, but rather the outcome of various factors not related to an inability to coexist with Muslims. The various European parties involved had ulterior motives which could be attained by goading the masses into a religious frenzy. Some desired stability, others desired glory and wealth, while others wished for absolution of their sins. The true motivation behind the Crusades was more for the benefit of Europe, rather than the desire to destroy Islam.
An example of an individual taking part in the Crusades for their own benefit is Pope Urban. Through the commencement of the Crusades, Pope Urban …show more content…
On the way to the Holy Land, the knights came across Jews living in Germany. These knights promptly murdered these Jews and stole their belongings. Another blatant example of self-advancement is the Fourth Crusade. When the Fourth Crusade was commenced the method of transportation for the knights was to be by boat. When the crusaders were on course for the Holy Land they decided to stop in Constantinople. In Constantinople, the knights sacked and looted the city (of Christians) and set up the Latin Empire of Constantinople. The knights always took the closest and most convenient way of attaining the things they wanted proving that they would attack anybody for their desires, not just specifically the