What was the primary goal of the Crusades from 1096 to 1270 AD?

The primary goal of the Crusades from 1096 to 1270 AD was to free the Holy Land from Muslim rule. This objective stemmed from the Christian belief that Jerusalem and other parts of the Holy Land were sacred and should be under Christian control. The Crusades were initiated in part due to a call from Pope Urban II, who urged Christians to take up arms to reclaim these territories from Muslim powers.

The focus on the Holy Land was tied to religious motivations, as Christians sought to protect and access sites of biblical significance. The Crusaders believed they would earn spiritual rewards and forgiveness of sins through their efforts. This overarching goal shaped the military campaigns and the fervor with which they were pursued, highlighting the interplay of religious zeal and medieval politics during this period.

While expanding trade routes, promoting honor, and establishing control over other regions like Egypt were factors that played a role in the broader context of the Crusades and their aftermath, the central aim remained the liberation of Jerusalem and other key religious sites from Islamic governance.