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IDST 2372
World Civilization to the 15th Century
Carol A. Keller
Internet Component: Unit II Activity

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To supplement class discussions and expand the Unit III Internet activity "Expanding Networks of Communication and Exchange,"  complete each of the following a Internet Component activities. Word process (double space, 2-3 pages) the selected activities and submit on the assigned due date (see course calendar).

•     First Activity:

•    Read Urban II: Speech at Council of Clermont, 1095
• What. according to Pope Urban,  has happened to the world as a result of God's servants not keeping his laws?
• What is the purpose of his exhortation to all "to carry aid promptly " to the Greek Christians?
• What are those who die doing so promised?
•    Read Fulk of Chartres: The Capture of Jerusalem, 1099
• Describe briefly.
•    Go to Internet Islamic History Sourcebook the Interaction with the West section.
•    Go to the second item, Usmah Ibn Munqidh (1095-1188): Autobiography: Excerpts on the Franks, c.1175 CE.
• How does this Muslim warrior and courtier react to a proposal to send his son to Europe?
• How does he regard Frankish Medicine (give examples)?
• Describe some of his other views on the Franks.
•    How did contact with Christians encourage Muslims to define themselves?
•    Muslim Reaction -- The Crusaders in Muslim Eyes (from Paul Halsall, University of North Florida)
• The Crusades were a surprise to the Muslim world.
• In 1095 Spanish Muslims certainly felt pressure from Christians, but that was long way off from Palestine.
• Muslims did not understand the crusaders. At first thought they were Byzantine employees.
• Arabs were shocked by barbarism of Crusaders - e.g. at conquest of Jerusalem.
• This attitude of cultural superiority, fact-based though it was, prevented the Muslims learning anything from the Franji. E.g.. some Latins learned Arabic, but little record of Muslims learning any Western language.
• Gradually, Arabs came to see Crusaders as attackers of Muslim land. Around 1140 attitudes hardened.

•     Activity Two:
• Go to The Crusader States and The Empire of Sultan Salah Al-Din and study the maps. View additional maps, The Crusader States and Eastern Europe , Era of the Crusades, and Europe during the Age of the Crusades (scroll for full view)  and Crusade States.
• How many States are there?Describe their location and borderlands.
• In what ways do you think their geographical position shaped their existence?
• Describe the Krak des Chevaliers.
• What does its construction suggest?

1. How do the web sites reflect the point of view of their authors ?

2. Some historians note that the creation of the Crusader States "opened the first chapter in the history of western colonialism.” What does this view suggest?

3. How do you account for the different perspectives and why do you think they resonate, or don't resonate, today?

Write up your observations, findings, and conclusions for submission as a Unit 3 discussion.
 

Please send any questions, or comments to Carol A. Keller, email, ckeller@accd.edu

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Last updated October 2002
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