7. The Fourth Crusade’s Diversion to Constantinople (1204)
The Fourth Crusade, initiated in 1198 to reclaim Jerusalem, was diverted to Constantinople in 1204 due to financial constraints and Venetian interests. Crusaders, under Venetian influence, besieged and sacked the Christian city, leading to the establishment of the Latin Empire. This diversion not only derailed the original mission but also left a legacy of betrayal and deepened the rift between Eastern and Western Christianity (britannica.com).
