Question

Which statement accurately describes a reason for the start of the Crusades?

A.
Saladin led a Muslim army in an invasion of Italy and sacked Rome.

B.
Muslim leaders asked westerners to help them protect their centers of learning from attack by barbarians.

C.
The city of Jerusalem had fallen under the control of Jewish extremists.

D.
The Byzantine emperor asked for help from the pope to defend his realm from the Seljuk Turks.

Answer 1

The reason why the Crusades were started was that the Byzantine emperor asked for help from the pope to defend his realm from the Seljuk Turks - D.

Everything else followed from that on and the wars that ensued were later known as the Crusades.

Answer 2

The statement that accurately describes a reason for the start of the Crusades is Saladin led a Muslim army invasion of Italy and sacked Rome. The correct option among all the options that are given in the question is the first option or option "A". The Pope felt that the Christians might never see their Holy land again.