The Crusades Resulted in a Polarisation of the East and the West

The Crusades resulted in a polarisation of the East and the West and an increase of intolerance between Christians and Muslims, Christians and Jews, and heretics and pagans (Cartwright). Pope Urban II created the fantasy that people different from the christians were against them and gave a reason for killing them and treating them differently. This mentality is still alarmingly present in today’s world. The Islamic American community is a great example of such prejudice today.

In a 2017 Pew Research Survey, Muslims in America from various groups were asked how they felt about Muslim representation in media and discrimination towards their kind. 75% of the respondents reported great amounts of discrimination against muslims in America (Green). Also about 45% of Americans say that islam is not a part of “american society” and that it encourages violence. This is the kind of irrational treatment and racism that had