Final answer:
The Crusades were religious wars initiated by the Catholic Church to retake control of the Holy Land from Muslim rulers. They had political and economic motivations as well and led to the expansion of trade and cultural exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Crusades were a series of religious wars that took place between the 11th and 13th centuries. They were initiated by the Catholic Church in an effort to retake control of the Holy Land from Muslim rulers. The Crusades were not only about religious motivations, but also political and economic factors played a role.
While the Catholic Church did not ultimately succeed in permanently winning back control of the Holy Land, the Crusades did lead to the expansion of trade and the exchange of goods and ideas between Europe and the Middle East. The Crusades also had a lasting negative impact, creating a bitter hatred between Christians and Muslims that still exists today.