How did the crusades justify their actions?

The Crusades were justified by leaders and participants through a combination of religious fervor, the desire to reclaim the Holy Land, and the belief in the righteousness of their cause. They framed their actions as a divine mission to protect Christianity and liberate Jerusalem from Muslim control. Additionally, the promise of spiritual rewards, such as indulgences and salvation, motivated many individuals to join the campaigns. Propaganda and the rhetoric of a just war further reinforced these justifications among the European populace.