The primary objective of the Crusades in the Middle Ages was to reclaim control of the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim rule. Beginning in the late 11th century, these military campaigns were initiated by the Catholic Church, driven by a combination of religious fervor, the desire for land, and a response to Muslim expansion. The Crusaders aimed to secure safe passage for Christian pilgrims to sacred sites and establish Christian governance in regions considered holy. The Crusades had far-reaching impacts on Christian and Muslim societies, including cultural exchanges, increased trade, and the eventual decline of feudalism in Europe.