AQA · A-Level · History

    Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017

    The impact of the Second Crusade on the Muslim Near East, the Byzantine…

    Full specification wording

    1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204 – The foundation of new states and the Second Crusade, c1099–1149: The impact of the Second Crusade on the Muslim Near East, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin West and Outremer by 1149

    By 1149, the Second Crusade's failure profoundly impacted all regional powers.

    Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 6 of 6
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    By 1149, the Second Crusade's failure profoundly impacted all regional powers. In the Muslim Near East, the crusaders' defeat boosted morale and accelerated unification, allowing Nur ad-Din to consolidate power. For the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Manuel I Comnenus successfully managed the crusader threat to his territory but suffered severe reputational damage in the Latin West, where he was scapegoated for the armies' defeats in Anatolia. In the Latin West, the humiliating collapse caused widespread disillusionment, financial exhaustion, and a decline in crusading enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Outremer was left highly vulnerable; Edessa remained lost, the vital alliance with Damascus was shattered, and the crusader states faced a newly emboldened and increasingly unified Muslim opposition.

    What earns the marks

    • Analyse how the crusade's failure facilitated Nur ad-Din's rise and the ideological strengthening of jihad in the Muslim Near East.
    • Evaluate the diplomatic fallout between the Byzantine Empire and the Latin West, focusing on accusations of Byzantine treachery.
    • Assess the psychological and financial impact on the Latin West, including the crisis of faith and criticism of Bernard of Clairvaux.
    • Explain the strategic deterioration of Outremer's position by 1149, specifically the loss of the Damascene alliance.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Assuming the Byzantine Empire was conquered or severely weakened.

      Put it right: Manuel I actually navigated the crusade successfully, though diplomatic ties with the West worsened.

    • Stating that Saladin rose to power immediately after the Second Crusade.

      Put it right: It was Nur ad-Din who capitalised on the victory in the immediate aftermath up to 1149.

    • Claiming Outremer gained territory.

      Put it right: The crusader states gained nothing, failed to recover Edessa, and actively worsened their strategic borders.

    Exam tips

    • Structure answers thematically by region (Muslim Near East, Byzantium, Latin West, Outremer) to ensure comprehensive coverage of the specification.
    • Highlight the contrast between the Latin West's search for scapegoats (blaming Byzantium) and the actual logistical reasons for failure.
    • Emphasise the shift in the balance of power in the Levant, noting how the attack on Damascus pushed it into Nur ad-Din's sphere of influence.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the 1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204 – The foundation of new states and the Second Crusade, c1099–1149: The impact of the Second Crusade on the Muslim Near East, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin West and Outremer by 1149 lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    How did the failure of the Second Crusade at Damascus in 1148 immediately impact the political situation in the Muslim Near East?

    Listen

    By 1149, the Second Crusade's failure profoundly impacted all regional powers. In the Muslim Near East, the crusaders' defeat boosted morale and accelerated unification, allowing Nur ad-Din to consolidate power. For the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Manuel I Comnenus successfully managed the crusader threat to his territory but suffered severe reputational damage in the Latin West, where he was scapegoated for the armies' defeats in Anatolia. In the Latin West, the humiliating collapse caused widespread disillusionment, financial exhaustion, and a decline in crusading enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Outremer was left highly vulnerable; Edessa remained lost, the vital alliance with Damascus was shattered, and the crusader states faced a newly emboldened and increasingly unified Muslim opposition. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Analyse how the crusade's failure facilitated Nur ad-Din's rise and the ideological strengthening of jihad in the Muslim Near East. Evaluate the diplomatic fallout between the Byzantine Empire and the Latin West, focusing on accusations of Byzantine treachery. Assess the psychological and financial impact on the Latin West, including the crisis of faith and criticism of Bernard of Clairvaux. Explain the strategic deterioration of Outremer's position by 1149, specifically the loss of the Damascene alliance. Exam tip: Structure answers thematically by region (Muslim Near East, Byzantium, Latin West, Outremer) to ensure comprehensive coverage of the specification.

    See it

    A flowchart beginning with a single node labelled 'Second Crusade fails', which branches into four regional outcomes. The first branch leads to the Muslim Near East, where morale was boosted, unification accelerated and Nur ad-Din consolidated power. The second leads to the Byzantine Empire, where Manuel I managed the crusader threat to his territory but suffered reputational damage in the Latin West. The third leads to the Latin West, with disillusionment, financial exhaustion and a decline in crusading enthusiasm. The fourth leads to Outremer, described as highly vulnerable, and this node splits into three further points: Edessa remains lost, the alliance with Damascus was shattered, and the crusader states faced a newly emboldened and increasingly unified Muslim opposition.
    Shows how the failure of the Second Crusade affected the Muslim Near East, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin West and Outremer by 1149.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Shifting balance of power

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Diplomacy and alliances

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Ideological shifts and morale

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Consequences of military failure

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Shifting balance of power
    The crusade's failure left Outremer vulnerable and faced with a newly emboldened and increasingly unified Muslim opposition, while Nur ad-Din consolidated power.
    Diplomacy and alliances
    The vital alliance with Damascus was shattered, and the Byzantine Empire suffered severe reputational damage in the Latin West, where Manuel I was scapegoated for defeats in Anatolia.
    Ideological shifts and morale
    In the Muslim Near East the crusaders' defeat boosted morale and accelerated unification, while in the Latin West the collapse caused widespread disillusionment and a decline in crusading enthusiasm.
    Consequences of military failure
    The humiliating collapse caused financial exhaustion in the Latin West, Edessa remained lost, and Outremer was left highly vulnerable.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart beginning with a single node labelled 'Second Crusade fails', which branches into four regional outcomes. The first branch leads to the Muslim Near East, where morale was boosted, unification accelerated and Nur ad-Din consolidated power. The second leads to the Byzantine Empire, where Manuel I managed the crusader threat to his territory but suffered reputational damage in the Latin West. The third leads to the Latin West, with disillusionment, financial exhaustion and a decline in crusading enthusiasm. The fourth leads to Outremer, described as highly vulnerable, and this node splits into three further points: Edessa remains lost, the alliance with Damascus was shattered, and the crusader states faced a newly emboldened and increasingly unified Muslim opposition.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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