Question

What effect did the Crusades have on Europe?


The power of the church grew as more Popes were appointed


Europeans were exposed to new trade goods from Asia


Less people were living on feudal lands

Answer 1

Correct answers:
- Europeans were exposed to new trade goods from Asia — TRUE. The Crusades reopened and expanded trade routes to the Eastern Mediterranean, bringing spices, silks, sugar, new foods and luxury goods, and also ideas and technologies back to Europe.
- Less people were living on feudal lands — TRUE. The growth of trade and towns, plus the loss or indebtedness of some nobles and opportunities for peasants in cities, weakened the manorial/feudal system and encouraged migration off feudal lands.

Incorrect:
- The power of the church grew as more Popes were appointed — FALSE. The Crusades were called by the papacy and did boost papal prestige at times, but they did not cause “more Popes” to be appointed, and long-term effects included strains on papal authority and increased royal power rather than a lasting expansion of papal control.