👉 Crusades were military expeditions by various European powers to conquer and colonize new territories, often as a form of colonization. The term "crusade" is derived from the Latin word "cum" meaning together or in common. These expeditions were typically undertaken for political, religious, or economic reasons and were accompanied by large numbers of soldiers and military forces. The term was first used in the 13th century during the Crusades to describe a series of military campaigns by various
