History Shorts: The First Crusade (1096)

Europe was overrun by gangs of nobles that preferred to plunder and kill than better society. At the same time, most kingdoms were weak. Meanwhile, the Muslims had expanded to Europe’s door. They would try over the course of 1,000 years to subjugate the continent. Charles Martel defeated the invaders at Tours in the 8^th century. Pope Urban II decided to try to unite Europeans behind a cause and defend Christendom’s borders against the Muslims by declaring a crusade.  Nearly 40,000 men marched to the Holy Land, captured Jerusalem, and established colonies in the region.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4roF8zqNu3Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG3fCeI19IA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MwTrdfxAB8

History Shorts: Muslims invade France: The Battle of Tours (732 A.D.)

The Muslims spread out quickly and ruthlessly from the Arabian peninsula in the decades following Muhammad’s death. They invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 711 and swept into modern France. The disorganized Christian kingdoms fell in the face of the onslaught. Charles “the Hammer” Martel bucked tradition and built a professional army from scratch to meet the threat. The church bankrolled Martel, who planned to meet the invaders head on. The Franks defeated the Muslims saving Western Europe from the Muslim invaders. Had Martel failed, Europe might have become an Islamic stronghold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvSbBEoBePg