WI: the Europeans arrived in New World during the Crusades?

So this is the POD: somehow the Europeans developed naval technology two or three centuries ahead than OTL. Thus between 1150 until 1250 they already have ships that able to cross between the oceans.
While the premise is that they want to go to the East in order to finding helps against the Muslims. With the funds from the King of England, King of France, and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as the blessing from the Pope, the European joint expedition fleet set sail in late 12th or early 13th century, and arrived in OTL Caribbeans.

Now, would this better or worse for the Natives? Keep in mind that the Europeans haven't mastered gunpowder yet.
 
Not sure what the native's technology would be like, but the crusaders mght decide to simply kill all the spirit-worshiping natives. Also, the Americas would end up more Catholic.
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
While the Europeans would still have superior metal weapons, horses, and the infection of Native Americans by European diseases, their lack of gunpowder in this scenario would eliminate a significant advantage. Besides, European attention would still be focused on the Middle East during their time, whereas IOTL the wave of adventurers crossing the Atlantic were largely doing so because the wars against the Muslims had largely ended.
 
While the Europeans would still have superior metal weapons, horses, and the infection of Native Americans by European diseases, their lack of gunpowder in this scenario would eliminate a significant advantage. Besides, European attention would still be focused on the Middle East during their time, whereas IOTL the wave of adventurers crossing the Atlantic were largely doing so because the wars against the Muslims had largely ended.

Eh, the gunpowder weapons used by Cortez and the like were unreliable, the steel, horses and crossbows played a far more important role. Disease played the largest, of course.

But yes, European attention being elsewhere, it might take a while. Then again, it might just mean that the Europeans who aren't too busy Crusading are exploring the New World.

Any chance of a Cathar diaspora to the Caribbean?
 
Eh, the gunpowder weapons used by Cortez and the like were unreliable, the steel, horses and crossbows played a far more important role. Disease played the largest, of course.

But yes, European attention being elsewhere, it might take a while. Then again, it might just mean that the Europeans who aren't too busy Crusading are exploring the New World.

Any chance of a Cathar diaspora to the Caribbean?
On the contrary I'd say that it was his native allies who played the largest role. Even with the disease, without an army of 200,000 natives at his side Cortez would not have stood a chance.
 
On the contrary I'd say that it was his native allies who played the largest role. Even with the disease, without an army of 200,000 natives at his side Cortez would not have stood a chance.

And even then, it's not like it was really easy. There were many chances for Cortes and his expedition to die; and I imagine that being the same with any other conquistador.
 
And the crusaders would likely be less capable of making any friends at all. For one, they are zealots, and also there is no Aztec empire conveniently pissing everyone off at this time. Although I am not sure which nation is most powerful in Mexico in the 1100-1200's, although depending on when they come Yucatan has mostly been united either by Chichen Itza or Mayapan. And I just don't see a boat carrying a bunch of miserable Crusaders taking down the power that was Chichen Itza.
 
About disease...this is the time when Black Death hasn't happen yet. Will it make the damage from Old World's diseases less severe?

Anyway, don't forget about other major things that haven't happen: Mongol invasions.
 
And the crusaders would likely be less capable of making any friends at all. For one, they are zealots, and also there is no Aztec empire conveniently pissing everyone off at this time. Although I am not sure which nation is most powerful in Mexico in the 1100-1200's, although depending on when they come Yucatan has mostly been united either by Chichen Itza or Mayapan. And I just don't see a boat carrying a bunch of miserable Crusaders taking down the power that was Chichen Itza.

Most of them would be dead of the tropical diseases by the time they do reach it. I believe it was the Tepanecs.
 
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