Question

What is one reason behind Pope Urban II's decision to launch the First Crusade?

Answer 1

Pope Urban ll made the decision to launch the first crusade in 1095. He achieved this by giving a public speech in which he accused the Muslims of many atrocities against the Christians who were living in Jerusalem. One reason, why the Pope decided to launch the first crusade was that, the Byzanthine Emperor has written him a letter asking him for help against the Muslims. The Pope may have made this decision too in order to increase his papacy influence. 

Answer 2

Answer:

He wanted to unite the quarrelsome lords of Europe.

Explanation:

In 1095 CE, when Emperor Alexius I Comnenus appealed to Pope Urban II for help in defending the Byzantine Empire, the pope saw an opportunity. He called together the Council of Clermont in France. Eager to secure his own power over the church and to unite the quarrelsome lords of Europe, he called for a military expedition to retake the Holy Land from the Turks, whom he called infidels.