A crusade is a series of religious wars that occur primarily between Christians and Muslims, primarily due to the securing and control of holy sites believed to be sacred by both groups (Amt and Allen, 2014). ). The great crusading expeditions that took place between the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries were characterized by violence, cruelty and bloody conflicts between European Christians and Muslims, thus making them key players in the struggle for the holy place in the Middle East (Setton, 2012). Therefore, most people believe that nothing positive happened as a result of the Crusades. However, I disagree based on the following positive aspects highlighted below. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Crusades contributed to the development and advancement of military techniques and fortification (Amt and Allen, 2014). For example, Muslims benefited significantly as they learned a lot about building war castles, weapons and munitions. Additionally, they were trained in various military approaches and the logic of combat against the enemy through the introduction of the concept of a standing army (Setton, 2012). Thus, they were able to develop their military expertise and their art of fighting effectively. Additionally, the Crusades facilitated and enhanced cultural integration between the two groups (Amt and Allen, 2014). For example, when European Christians settled in the Middle East, they had the opportunity to learn a lot about the social norms, beliefs, and values ​​of Muslims. Therefore, there was a fusion of ethics, food and cultures between the West and the East for the first time (Setton, 2012). The crusade was an opportunity for both groups to learn many things about the other that would otherwise have remained unknown to them. Finally, the Crusades led to the construction of the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher which constitutes a center of pilgrimage (Amt & Allen, 2014). Additionally, the Crusaders boosted the economy and trade activities between the east and west of the continent. The rapid development and growth of the economy and trade sectors between the two countries was observed and as a result, the introduction of new foods, spices and clothing materials such as muslin were made available in Western markets ( Setton, 2012). Consequently, merchants, mainly from Italy, grew richer as they amassed wealth through new trading activities with the East. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay In Conclusion, The Key The players in the Crusades were Christians, Muslims, and Jews and they all had their share of the positive and negative effects of the Crusades (Amt and Allen, 2014). However, to the extent that these bloody and ruthless battles were fought under divine rights aimed at maintaining sanctity, in reality these acts were meaningless as they were only initiated by inhuman feelings, especially among those in power. Nevertheless, the Crusades played an important role in shaping religious and ideological differences between them (Setton, 2012).