Also, the Crusades and the resulting Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, a viciously-run state, quite justifiably triggered intense anti-european attitudes among the peoples native to the middle east -- attitudes still being played out today as a major undercurrent of modern middle-east political tensions.

To say nothing of the European nations' having divvied up Africa and established political boundaries that cut across established native boundaries. I also find it interesting that the height of classical Spanish culture was under the Moors, who tolerated the Spanish Jews. Then Catholic Aragon and Castille united, and, well, there went the neighborhood!