aug 11, 1148 - Impacts of the Second Crusade

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Lack of success.
Conrad blamed betrayal of Frankish nobility and treachery of Greeks.
Withdrawal better than defeat - Muslims were strong and Crusaders were fearful of Nurredin.
Conrad returned home in Spring 1149 with a new alliance with Manuel against Roger of Sicily.
Louis visited holy sites then returned home by November 1149.
Impact on Muslims: Zengi's capture of Edessa boosted morale of Muslims and firmly established Jihad. Signalled power shift to Northern Syria.
His son, Nurredin was one of Islam's greatest warriors and his rise would begin after the Crusade. Unur of Damascus was now a firm ally of Nurredin's.
Impact on Byzantium: Conrad went home on good terms with Byzantine emperor, Manuel and an alliance against Roger of Sicily. Manuel was worried about his vassal in Antioch, Raymond, who had tried to direct the crusade against Aleppo, as Raymond planned to keep Antioch as well.
Failure of Crusade was a blow to Byzantine ambition.
Impact on Latin West: Severe blow to crusaders. Conrad also on good terms with the pope. Frederick Barbarossa forged his reputation in the Second crusade and would attempt to return ~40 years later.
Louis returned with his reputation intact.
Bernard of Clairvaux deeply affected. Blamed sins of humanity and the judgement of God, his reputation just survived.
Insufficient will among European leaders for an immediate response - until 1187.
Impact on Outremer: Failure to take Damascus led to a plan to attack Ascalon but only Conrad took it seriously. Left for Constantinople 1184.
There was no doubt about the worth of this kind of expedition - holy war idea questioned.
Melisende and Baldwin's relationship deteriorated into civil war and open conflict. Melisende wouldn't give the kingdom to Baldwin.
Baldwin's agreement to attack Damascus left his kingdom without Western help.

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