The purpose of the Crusades in the Middle Ages was primarily to regain control of the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim rule. Beginning in 1096, these military campaigns were launched by European Christians, driven by religious zeal and the desire to reclaim sacred sites. The Crusades facilitated cultural and economic exchanges between the East and West, resulting in the transfer of knowledge, trade goods, and ideas. While the Crusades ultimately didn't achieve long-term Christian control over Jerusalem, they significantly impacted the political landscape of Europe and the Middle East, influencing Christian-Muslim relations for centuries.