What Would the Effects of a Failed First Crusade Be?
Thought they are largely ignored by many people, the crusades were a very important event in Western history-they opened the door to a new age of trade with the East and with Africa, and started Europe on the sugar-and-spice craze, which in turn led to slavery and exploration. Unfortunately, pretty much every discussion on the subject tends to go toward surviving Crusader states, i.e Christowank.
For the sake of discussion, let us say that the First Crusade is declared under circumstances in Europe pretty much identical to OTL. The army raised is almost 100,000 men strong, as in OTL. However, for whatever reason the journey to the Holy Land is even worse than OTL, with only 7000 men arriving (14,000 OTL). With worse leadership and luck (and some good luck on the part of the Muslims) the First crusade fails utterly to make any kind of gains in the Levant, and certainly doesn't get to Jerusalem.
So, what happens next? Does the Christian world embark on another Holy War, or will their ardor be cooled? Might the West be less dominant?
Thought they are largely ignored by many people, the crusades were a very important event in Western history-they opened the door to a new age of trade with the East and with Africa, and started Europe on the sugar-and-spice craze, which in turn led to slavery and exploration. Unfortunately, pretty much every discussion on the subject tends to go toward surviving Crusader states, i.e Christowank.
For the sake of discussion, let us say that the First Crusade is declared under circumstances in Europe pretty much identical to OTL. The army raised is almost 100,000 men strong, as in OTL. However, for whatever reason the journey to the Holy Land is even worse than OTL, with only 7000 men arriving (14,000 OTL). With worse leadership and luck (and some good luck on the part of the Muslims) the First crusade fails utterly to make any kind of gains in the Levant, and certainly doesn't get to Jerusalem.
So, what happens next? Does the Christian world embark on another Holy War, or will their ardor be cooled? Might the West be less dominant?
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