Battles That Changed History, Second Period, Friday 2/19

[screwyoumarvel]

"I couldn't possibly hope to cover the entirety of the Crusades in the time we have today," Steve said, "and I know spring break's just around the corner. So let's go with the very bare basics: the Crusades were a series of wars fought over about two hundred years for control of an area known as the Holy Land, especially the city of Jerusalem. Muslims had control of the area; Christians wanted control, arguing it was theirs by right because it was, yes, holy in their religion. Of course, the area was also holy to the Muslims, who were already living there, and then there were the Jewish people, who had it first before the waves of conquest started coming, and these other two religions--Christianity and Islam--grew out of theirs. The Jews are pretty much being persecuted by all parties at this time, so the fight is between the Christians and the Muslims, both of whom claim God has given them this land. Kingdoms rise and fall based on success and failure in these wars; fortunes are poured into them; whole generations of men go and fight and die. Incredibly stupid and terrible things are done. And guess what?" Steve leaned forward over his desk. "We're still fighting over it. It's not settled yet.

"So, what can we learn from the Crusades? One, if you've lost the war once, don't go and fight it again and again and again for two hundred years. Two, people get irrational when religion is involved. Three, if people are living somewhere, and have been living there for quite some time, generally speaking it's not good manners to show up and tell them it belongs to you by divine right. In other words, use some common sense. I hope you will also use some common sense on your spring break; now you can discuss the Crusades amongst yourselves, then go enjoy it."