The main objective of the Crusades in the Middle Ages was to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control. Initiated in 1096, the first Crusade was called for by Pope Urban II, who aimed to aid the Byzantine Empire and restore Christian access to sacred sites. The Crusades involved a series of military expeditions, driven by religious fervor, territorial expansion, and a desire for adventure. While they led to the establishment of Crusader states in the region, they ultimately intensified conflicts between Christians and Muslims and had enduring impacts on Christian-Muslim relations.