The main objective of the Crusades was to reclaim the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim rule. Initiated in the late 11th century, the series of religious wars aimed to allow Christian pilgrims access to sacred sites and to respond to the perceived threats to Christendom posed by Islamic expansion. The Crusades involved multiple expeditions, showcasing the complex interplay of religious faith, political motivation, and military conflict. They had lasting impacts on Christian-Muslim relations and significantly influenced European trade and cultural exchanges.