A RECENT ASSIGNMENT FOR MY 7th GRADE HISTORY STUDENTS: WRITE A PARAGRAPH EXPLAINING WHETHER THE CRUSADES HAD A LASTING IMPACT ON EUROPEAN CULTURE? (CALIFORNIA HISTORY STANDARD H7.6.6 AND CALIFORNIA WRITING STANDARD W2.4)

  Crusades impacted Europeans.

First, they increased cross-country trade

For goods feudal epicureans

Delighted in that Asians made.

Second, their knights were catalytic

In breeding hate, anti-Semitic,

Which led to Hitler’s killing Jews

And still feeds people’s racist views.

Third, Ferdinand and Isabella,

With all their knights, reconquered Spain

And drove Islam across the main

Which finally helped out that brave fella,

Columbus.  In conclusion, you

Descend from 1492.