What was the effect of the Crusades on European culture?

Answer 1

A:From the late fourth century, the Church had consciously set out to destroy all knowledge that could distract people from devotion to God, thus ushering in the Dark Ages. Much important philosophical, medical, mathematical and scientific knowledge built up by the ancient Greeks and Romans had been lost to Europe, apparently forever. However, some of the ancient European texts had been retained by the Arabs, who valued knowledge and expanded greatly on what had been preserved.

Although Europe had been exposed to Islamic culture for centuries through contacts in Spain and Sicily, much more Islamic thought was transferred to the west during the crusades. The need to raise, transport and supply large armies led to growth in trade throughout Europe. Roads largely unused since the days of Rome saw significant increases in traffic as local merchants began to expand their horizons. And this aided the beginning of the Renaissance in Italy.

The social position of Jews in Western Europe deteriorated significantly during and after the Crusades.