The character of Spain's policy with reference to the Philippines as well as with reference to her other colonies was to a very great extent determined by her long crusade against the Moors. This struggle was part of the war of the Christians against the Mohammedans. The other part of it was carried on by the other European nations in Palestine. In the East the Crusades came to an end by reason of the waning interest of France, Italy, and Germany. These nations might cease from the conflict whenever they were weary of it without loss of territory or diminution of national honor. But the western wing of the Mohammedan force was within the borders of Spain. Therefore, although the struggle was ended in the East, Spain was obliged to carry it on single-handed in the West. For two hundred years after the last half-hearted crusaders of France had retired, Spain continued the war with unabated zeal, not merely to defend Western Europe from the Mohammedan conqueror, but to preserve her honor, to defend her territory, to maintain her religion, and to perpetuate her national existence.