Mass Crusades Research Paper

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Many young people’s participation of mass crusades can be traced back to the inner hope they have to make a positive, lasting change, as well as the outer pressure they feel to be socially accepted. During the 13th century, a series of crusades took place throughout the east, spreading from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Taking part of those crusades were many young boys and girls, like the ones we are told about in our primary document. In the document, however, we are told that “[the crusaders’] journey issued from the deception of the devil because it caused so much loss.” But what if there was something more that just a supernatural enemy behind these masses of youth participating in this preposterousness? One of the first factors I believe was behind so many young folk joining in with the crusades so easily was the pressure that so many young people were under, and are still under to this day, to…show more content…
I don’t mean like their religious faith, although that may have had plenty to do with it as well. What I mean is the blind faith that allowed for these children to actually believe that what they were doing was going to create a long and lasting change to the world around them. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something like that? It is stated in the text that “the rumor of such a marvelous deed resounded through the cities and towns,” which implies to me that the children were more fascinated with the claims that this boy had made, rather than if the claims were true. We are even told that the counsel the boy came through was unknown, however, the children still chose to follow and believe him, even against what would be their better judgment. My conclusion is that these children were so enthralled at the idea of something so incredulous happening to them and being a part of it, that they didn’t think to second guess or contemplate their decision, they just went for
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