What event marked the starting point for the Second Crusade?

The starting point for the Second Crusade was marked by the capture of Edessa in 1144. The city held significance as one of the first crusader states established during the First Crusade, and its fall to the Muslim forces represented a severe setback for the Christian kingdoms in the Holy Land. This event not only prompted a sense of urgency among European Christians but also served as a rallying point for advocates of the Second Crusade, including prominent leaders like King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of Germany. The loss of Edessa underscored the vulnerability of the crusader states and galvanized efforts to mount a new military campaign to reclaim the territories lost to Muslim forces. Thus, the situation surrounding Edessa's capture effectively initiated the call for the Second Crusade.