Anti-Islam discourse of Medieval Europe - Dissertation Example

Compare the anti-Islam dis of Medieval Europe that fueled the crusades to 19th century Orientalism that generated European colonialism. In Europe, the medieval period, also known as the middle age is the era between the 5th and the 15th century. The medieval period is also considered a revolutionary period by some because it consists of many events that lead to the modern Europe that we see today. This era is further subdivided into the early middle Ages, the high middles ages and the late middle ages.

Considering the rising fear of Islam in the minds of general public these days, many writings have also come up about Islamophobia or Anti- Islamic discourse. There was a great influx of religions during the early medieval age. Many religions among which Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity were thriving. Islam emerged in Europe during this same era after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Islamic forces controlled major area of peninsula, which was also known as Al-Andalus now knowns as Spain and Portugal.

Moors was the name given to medieval Muslims who came from Arab to Europe during that Era. The Muslims also invaded the holiest place for Christians called Jerusalem. A place where Jesus was born and held the highest of ranks in the eyes of Christians. This sparked an anti-Islamic movement in that era which leads to the formation of the Crusades. The Crusades served as a military force for the Pope. It consisted of both knights and common people who would fight for the church bearing the cross as a sign to show their involvement with the church.

In 1095, Pop Urban II declared war against the Muslims invading Jerusalem and ended up capturing the Jihadi Muslims of that region at the expense of many precious lives of all men, women and children. Although the Crusaders fought many of the Holy wars and helped the Catholics in many ways, there were certain people in Europe who considered them bad or the negatives. The crusaders were considered as people who just created more misery in the world with their continuous Holy wars. They were also thought to be undisciplined group of people who massacred and destroyed all the grounds they set foot on.

This led to the origination of a movement called as the Orientalism. Orientalism if explained in simple words is the attempt made by the western world to understand the lives of people living in the east; particularly Muslims. This includes understanding their faith and their way of living as well. The European started to take interest in the lives of Muslims and their way of living. Many scholars believe that it was through this movement that the Western people actually started to flourish and make the most of what they have.

It particularly helped Europe in the area of art and literature. It ignited the creative side of many artists and they started to write about the East in their novels and poems. The Europeans considered the Eastern world as outgoing, civilized and modern which is orientalism is often meant to coincide with the start of colonial era. Colonialism is considered is an act to dominate, the act of subordinating people. In 19th century, European countries started to explore the world in order to subjugate the rest of the world.

This was inspired by orientalism and because of the pressure of increasing population. Under the colonization period, Europe exploited new markets, found new grounds to live for their immigrants and initiated a lustful period to have everything all by them which was covered by a motive stating that they needed to civilize the savage uncivilized nations. Colonialism on the other hand is not only considered as the extension of Europe’s branches to UN explore lands but also the expansion of its culture, values and norms.

This included traits like literature, photography, music, painting etcetera. The success of Europeans soon came to an end during the decolonization era in 1945 when the power was retransferred to older colonies. It marked the end of the empire and everything eventually became a part of history. Works Cited "Middle Ages." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. . "H-Net Reviews." H-Net Reviews. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. . "Crusades." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. . "The Call of the Crusades.

" The Call of the Crusades. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. .  "Orientalism: Its Changing Face and Nature." Orientalism: Its Changing Face and Nature. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. . Kohn, Margaret. "Colonialism." Stanford University. Stanford University, 9 May 2006. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. . "Europes Colonial Expansion, 1820-1939."European Colonial Empires, British, French in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. . Sannu, Halmi. 19th Century Europe: A Cultural History. Cambridge, UK: Polity, 2008., Print