The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought between the 11th and 15th centuries. The two main groups that fought in the Crusades were the Christians and the Muslims.
The Christians, primarily from Western Europe, were motivated by religious fervor and the desire to reclaim the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim control. They believed that by doing so, they would secure their place in heaven and fulfill a divine mission.
On the other side, the Muslims, who had controlled the Holy Land for centuries, were defending their territories and religious sites. They viewed the Crusaders as invaders and fought to protect their lands and faith.
These conflicts were marked by numerous battles, sieges, and shifting alliances, with both sides experiencing victories and defeats over the centuries. The Crusades had a profound impact on the political, social, and religious landscape of both Europe and the Middle East.