DVD LESSON PLAN: THE CRUSADES

Transcription

1 18 DVD Title: The Crusades DVD LESSON PLAN: THE CRUSADES Content: A witty and authoritative account of the Crusades and the dramatic social upheaval they engendered. Medievalist Terry Jones, a founding member of Monty Python, chronicles the piety, power struggles, fanaticism, and absurdities of the 200-year "holy war" that institutionalized anti-semitism in Europe, introduced the world's first terrorist movement, and founded a legacy of distrust that still casts its shadow on Mideast/West relations today. The program is notable for its attention-getting visuals, including reenactments, works of art that come to life, location footage, sophisticated computer reconstructions, and creative anachronisms, such as a medieval newsreel. Commentary from world renowned experts like Sir Steven Runciman and Suheil Zakkar adds weight to the always thought-provoking, sometimes irreverent, narration Special Features of this DVD: Interactive menus Historic Timeline Terry Jones biography/filmography Scene Selection Suggested Grade Level: Grades 6 and up Time: 1 to 2 periods. Should you choose to show the entire movie, running time is 200 minutes. Outcomes: Students will: -gain important background information on the origins and spread of the Crusades. -answer key questions relating to the ideology and tactics relevant to understanding the Crusades. -reflect on the impact of Crusade history for understanding current events. Prior Knowledge Required: Students may need to review basic geography for Europe and the Middle East in the 10 th and 11 th centuries. Lesson format/ strategies: 1. Using the DVD: Identify the questions and issues that you want to cover with the students. Select the relevant scenes from the scene selection menu. Read the relevant question(s) to the students prior to viewing the selection and then repeat after for student discussion.

2 19 Disc 1, Chapter 1: The Pope spoke of the Crusades as the liberation of the Holy Land. However the DVD suggests that another word might be more accurate. What did the Pope really hope to do for the Holy Land? (Control it) Christian Crusaders was somewhat of a contradiction in terms. Good Christians were taught by Jesus to turn the other cheek on their enemies. However, a crusading knight was meant to kill his enemies. How did the Pope resolve this ideological problem? (He reasoned that Christ only meant to turn the other cheek for other Christians. However, it was ok to kill non-christians, according to his logic). Disc 1, Chapter 3 A Pilgrim in Arms: Watch the promotional movie created to simulate Crusader propaganda. How is this movie similar to something that might have been created in modern times to get people to go to war? (It is a take-off on WWII propaganda movies). Disc 2, Chapter 1 A Trail of Destruction What is the percentage of Crusaders who survived the first Crusade? (Only 25% survived to get to the Holy Land 20,000 out of 80,000 who set out). The DVD mentions a fundamental economic problem for the Crusaders. What were their biggest challenges from an economic point of view? (They didn t have credit cards, checks or cash They had to take all the money they would need for the rest of their life in the form of coins. They ran out of these coins quickly. When the Crusaders came into town prices went way up (inflation)). Disc 2, Chapter 3 The Siege of Antioch Biological warfare was an important part of this siege. What form did it take? (Using a catapult to hurl parts of dead and decomposing human and animal carcasses into the city). Disc 3, Chapter 6 Saladin s Trap What was the significance of Saladin s entry into Jerusalem? What was the fate of the Christians he encountered? (He spared them and let them live). How did the Pope react to the reconquest of Jerusalem by Saladin? (He had a heart attack and died). Disc 4, Chapter 1 Richard the Lionhearted How was the Crusade of Richard different from previous Crusades? (He raised a welltrained army and outfitted them with the latest technology in swords and armour).

3 20 Disc 4, Chapter 6 King Baybars Warriors supported by a form of Islamic fanaticism wiped out the remnants of the Crusader state after two centuries in the Holy Land. What are the origins, tone and scope of this fanaticism according to the DVD? (The extremist approach of the Muslims parallels the fanaticism of the Christian Crusaders from whom they learned this type of extremism.) Culminating Question Why is an understanding of the Crusades important to grasp aspect of contemporary global politics? Are the Crusades just an odd chapter from a history book that has been closed for centuries, or can the repercussions still be felt today?

4 21 FILM ANALYSIS GUIDE SHEET THE CRUSADES 1. The Pope spoke of the Crusades as the liberation of the Holy Land. However the DVD suggests that another word might be more accurate. What did the Pope really hope to do for the Holy Land? 2. Christian Crusaders was somewhat of a contradiction in terms. Good Christians were taught by Jesus to turn the other cheek on their enemies. However, a crusading knight was meant to kill his enemies. How did the Pope resolve this ideological problem? 3. Watch the promotional movie created to simulate Crusader propaganda. How is this movie similar to something that might have been created in modern times to get people to go to war? 4. What is the percentage of Crusaders who survived the first Crusade? 5. The DVD mentions a fundamental economic problem for the Crusaders. What were their biggest challenges from an economic point of view? 6. Biological warfare was an important part of this siege of Antioch. What form did it take? 7. What was the significance of Saladin s entry into Jerusalem? What was the fate of the Christians he encountered? How did the Pope react to the reconquest of Jerusalem by Saladin?

5 22 8. How was the Crusade of Richard the Lionheart different from previous Crusades? 9. Warriors supported by a form of Islamic fanaticism wiped out the remnants of the Crusader state after two centuries in the Holy Land. According to the DVD, what are the origins, tone and scope of this fanaticism? 10. Why is an understanding of the Crusades important to grasp aspect of contemporary global politics? Are the Crusades just an odd chapter from a history book that has been closed for centuries, or can the repercussions still be felt today?