The purpose of the Crusades, a series of religious wars between the 11th and 13th centuries, was primarily to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim rule. Initiated by Pope Urban II, the First Crusade (1096-1099) was motivated by religious fervor, the desire for pilgrimage to sacred sites, and the promise of spiritual rewards. Additionally, the Crusades aimed at expanding European influence and securing trade routes. Over time, these conflicts had lasting impacts, leading to cultural exchanges, shifts in power, and a heightened sense of unity or division among Christians and Muslims, shaping relations and historical narratives in both regions.