Why did the Second Crusade fail?

Question 1

Growing Muslim unity: What advancements did Zengi make before the Second Crusade?

Answer 1

Zengi unified key cities, namely Aleppo and Mosul, and arranged a marriage alliance with Damascus.

Question 2

Growing Muslim unity: How did the Turks of Anatolia respond to the Second Crusade?

Answer 2

The Turks put aside internal rivalries to confront the external threat posed by the Second Crusade.

Question 3

Growing Muslim unity: What was the outcome of Nureddin’s relief force for Damascus?

Answer 3

Nureddin’s relief force responded quickly and effectively, leading to a panicked decision to abandon the siege.

Question 4

Growing Muslim unity: What role did Jihad rhetoric play in the siege of Damascus in 1148?

Answer 4

The spirited resistance in Damascus was rallied by Jihad rhetoric, gaining traction since Il-Ghazi’s victory in 1119.

Question 5

Growing Muslim unity (limitations): What divisions existed among Muslim leaders before the fall of Edessa?

Answer 5

Muslim leaders fought each other, with Zengi attacking Damascus and alliances with Franks due to fear of Zengi.

Question 6

Growing Muslim unity (limitations): What was Unur of Damascus’s request to Nureddin?

Answer 6

Unur’s request for help was a last resort due to the dire situation in Damascus.

Question 7

Lack of clear aims of crusaders: What was the lack of a single clear aim during the Second Crusade?

Answer 7

Unlike the First Crusade, there was no unified goal, leading to distractions and divisions among crusaders.

Question 8

Lack of clear aims of crusaders: What distractions affected the Second Crusade’s focus?

Answer 8

German barons stayed behind for the Wendish crusade, and English crusaders delayed to help conquer Lisbon.

Question 9

Lack of clear aims of crusaders: What was the significance of the papal bull for the Second Crusade?

Answer 9

The papal bull mentioned the fall of Edessa but provided little guidance on military targets.

Question 10

Lack of Byzantine support: What factors contributed to the lack of Byzantine support during the Second Crusade?

Answer 10

Long-term hostility, a poor relationship with Byzantine leaders, and a lack of military commitment contributed to lukewarm support.

Question 11

Lack of Byzantine support: What suspicions did the crusaders have about the Byzantines?

Answer 11

Crusaders believed Byzantines were working against them and discovered Manuel had made a truce with the Seljuks.

Question 12

Lack of Byzantine support: What issues arose with Byzantine guides during the Second Crusade?

Answer 12

Byzantine guides allegedly led the army astray and abandoned them to Turkish attacks.

Question 13

Lack of Byzantine support: How did Manuel’s support compare to that of the First Crusade?

Answer 13

Manuel failed to provide the same level of military and logistical support as during the First Crusade.

Question 14

Lack of Byzantine support: What was different about the Byzantine emperor’s request for assistance compared to the First Crusade?

Answer 14

The Byzantine emperor had not asked for assistance.

Question 15

Lack of Byzantine support (limitation): What advice did the Byzantine emperor give to the crusaders?

Answer 15

The emperor gave advice about the route, which was completely ignored.

Question 16

Lack of Byzantine support (limitation): Why was Manuel unwilling to break the truce with the Seljuks?

Answer 16

He was facing invasion by his fellow Christians, the Normans, in the west.

Question 17

Poor leadership of Conrad III & Louis VII: What challenges did Conrad III face during the Second Crusade?

Answer 17

Conrad III refused to wait for French forces, failed to keep his army unified, and fell into a trap at Dorylaeum.

Question 18

Poor leadership of Conrad III & Louis VII: What mistakes did Louis VII make during the Second Crusade?

Answer 18

Louis VII abandoned his forces at Attalia and failed to recognize the main threat from Nureddin and Aleppo.

Question 19

Poor leadership of Conrad III & Louis VII: What was the outcome of the meeting between Louis VII, Conrad III, and Baldwin III?

Answer 19

They decided to attack Damascus, which had been an ally, leading to a failed siege.

Question 20

Poor leadership of Conrad III & Louis VII: What leadership failures contributed to the failure of the siege of Damascus?

Answer 20

Poor leadership and divisions among the forces regarding who would hold the city undermined the expedition.

Question 21

The Franks of Outremer: What divisions existed among the Franks of Outremer?

Answer 21

The Franks were divided on their aims, with Raymond of Antioch wanting to attack Aleppo and Baldwin III preferring Ascalon or Damascus.

Question 22

The Franks of Outremer: How did internal conflicts affect the cooperation among Frankish leaders?

Answer 22

Frankish leaders often fought each other, and divisions between supporters of Baldwin III and Melisende hindered cooperation.

Question 23

The Franks of Outremer: What allegations were made regarding the sabotage of the siege of Damascus?

Answer 23

Some Frankish barons allegedly sabotaged the siege to prevent Thierry of Flanders from gaining the city.