The Crusades significantly impacted European society by fostering a shift in cultural and economic relationships between Europe and the Middle East. Initiated in the late 11th century, these military campaigns not only aimed to reclaim Jerusalem but also facilitated the exchange of ideas, technology, and goods. The exposure to Islamic culture and knowledge during the Crusades helped spur the European Renaissance. Additionally, the influx of wealth from the East promoted trade and the rise of merchant classes, altering the European economic landscape. Furthermore, the Crusades contributed to the growing sense of European identity and laid the groundwork for future conflicts and interactions between different cultures.