What was the central goal of the Crusades?

The central goal of the Crusades was to capture Jerusalem. The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated by Christian states of Europe during the medieval period, with the primary objective of reclaiming the Holy Land, particularly the city of Jerusalem, which held significant religious importance to Christians. Jerusalem was known as the site of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, making its capture a religious aspiration for many Christians of the time.

The focus on Jerusalem as the ultimate prize is evident in the First Crusade, which was called by Pope Urban II in 1095. He encouraged knights and nobles to embark on this mission not just for territorial gains, but primarily to respond to a religious calling to free the Holy City from Muslim control.

While expanding territory was also a factor and some Crusaders sought personal gain or land, the underlying religious motivation that drove the campaigns was the desire to reclaim Jerusalem. Additionally, while trade with Asia and spreading democracy may have been peripheral interests during the Crusades, they were not the primary goals driving these undertakings. The overarching desire to restore Christian control over Jerusalem firmly establishes it as the focal point of the Crusades.