2nd Crusade

The Second Crusade was relatively pointless because their efforts were wasted on an unsuccessful voyage. Their motive how ever was good and with every Crusade the Europeans delayed the very aggressive Muslim movement. As a result of the higher archy system of the time leaders and the papacy had great influence on the Crusades. There were many different missions that were attached to the whole of the Second Crusade and despite the fact it was unsuccessful it did leave and impact. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books) (Source Google Books)

The launching of the Second Crusade was by urging the Cistercian Pope Eugenius by St Bernard of Clairvaux. Their main reason for launching the Crusade was because the Muslims had sacked Edessa in 1144 and their leader Nur al-Din was then forth advancing to Jerusalem. The first Royalty joined this Crusade which was why it was one of the most remembered Crusades. “It included the first Royal Crusaders - Holy Roman Emperor Conrad III, French King Louis VII and his then Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine” (Source) 300 women and some children also accompanied the Crusaders on their mission and to many of these people this Second Crusade was more of a voyage and pilgrimage than a war. (Source) (Source, Google Books)(Source, Google Books)

“The Crusade was a shambles which ended in a humiliating retreat. Bernard unfairly copped the blame for this situation, the real villains being the royal incompetents, some unhelpful politicking and strategy decisions by Eleanor, and the fact that for the first time they were up against a competent Moslem military commander.” (Source) “Of the great host that set out from Europe, only a few thousands escaped annihilation in Asia Minor at the hands of the Turks. Louis and Conrad, with the remnants of their armies, made a joint attack on Damascus, but had to raise the siege after a few days. This closed the crusade.” (Source) Both of these quote show just how unsuccessful the European efforts were on this second crusade, it seemed that anything the fought for failed. It was a terrible fight for the Europeans. (Source, Google Books)

The other factor that effected the European loss is the factor of disease and famine when forming a siege. This can lead to the idea that the Europeans that came over did not have the preparedness they thought they did. The French and the Germans were the most upset by their numerous losses, in addition to their leader. (Source)

The intentions of the European empires were good and purposeful; however their plan did not fall through as they thought. The win of the 1^st Crusade did not come again in the 2^nd Crusade. Part of this might have been the unprepairdness, this cause famine and disease to kill many people. The Europeans did however at least slow the progression of the Muslims to and extent.