How do you describe the crusades?

The crusades started because the Pope wanted to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. While there were actually many small crusades, there are four major ones that stick out in history. The first crusade, from 1095-1099, is considered a Christian success because the crusaders were able to reclaim Jerusalem. The second crusade, from 1145-1148 was fought to claim Edessa from the Muslims. The crusaders lost the battle. The third crusade, from 1187-1191, was fought to attempt to reclaim Jerusalem from Saludin. While the crusaders did not win Muslim control, Christians were given free citizen access. The fourth crusade, from 1198-1204, was the most brutal. The crusaders ended up attacking their own cities and causing devastation to their own people, without ever making it to the Holy Land.