The crusades were successful, and we had ample military economic and technological advantage sufficient to end the expansion, reverse it, and restore the eastern empire.
We had ample opportunity at the end of ww1 to do a better job of organizing the regions in to ethnostates with rule of law and education in literacy.
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The question of why Europeans did not reverse Islamic expansion during the Crusades, and why they allowed the Byzantine Empire to fall to the Ottomans, is a complex one that involves a multitude of factors. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
The Crusades
Lack of Unity: The Crusaders were not a monolithic group but a collection of different European states with varying interests and objectives. This lack of unity often led to infighting and weakened their overall effectiveness.
Logistical Challenges: The distance between Europe and the Holy Land presented significant logistical challenges, including the need to maintain long supply lines and navigate unfamiliar terrain.
Local Resistance: Muslim states in the region were often more unified and better prepared to resist Crusader invasions, particularly under strong leaders like Saladin.
Limited Goals: The primary aim of the Crusades was not to reverse Islamic expansion but to secure Christian access to holy sites in Jerusalem. Once this was achieved, at least temporarily, the impetus for further action was reduced.
Economic Factors: The Crusades were expensive, and the economic toll could be burdensome for European states, limiting their ability to sustain long-term military campaigns.
Fall of Byzantium
Internal Decay: By the time of its fall, the Byzantine Empire had been weakened by internal strife, economic decline, and military defeats.
Western Indifference: Despite calls for aid, Western European powers were often indifferent to the plight of the Byzantines, partly due to religious schisms and also because they were preoccupied with their own concerns.
Rise of the Ottomans: The Ottoman Turks were a formidable military power with effective leadership, making them a challenging opponent for the Byzantines and any potential European allies.
Failed Crusades: Attempts were made to halt Ottoman expansion, such as the Crusade of Varna in 1444, but these were largely unsuccessful and further weakened the resolve of European powers to intervene.
Geopolitical Calculations: Some European states, like Venice, had complex relationships with the Ottomans that included both conflict and trade. The economic benefits of maintaining these relationships sometimes outweighed the ideological desire to defend Christendom.
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