Final answer:
The principal objective of the Crusades was to recapture the Holy Land, including Jerusalem, from Muslim dominance and re-establish Christian control. This mission was principally led by religious motivations but was also driven by political and economic factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Crusades were a series of religious and military campaigns initiated by the Christian states of Europe. The main goal of the Crusades was to recapture the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim control. Pope Urban II's call for the First Crusade marked the beginning of this endeavor, aiming to support the Byzantine Empire against Turkish incursions and liberate Jerusalem and other holy sites.
The Crusades were motivated by a mix of religious fervor, the desire for wealth and land, and the politics of the period. Despite the differing objectives of subsequent Crusades, the central idea was to establish Christian dominance in the Holy Land. The Crusades had a profound impact on the relationship between Christians and Muslims and also influenced trade and political developments in Europe and the Near East.