Thesis: The events of the Fourth Crusade in 1204 had no bearing on the eventual fall of the Byzantine Empire.
The Fourth Crusade was declared on the final day of December in 1199, by Pope Innocent III, with intentions of liberating the holy land through Egypt. The original plans would be abandoned, as eventually the crusaders made other plans to invade the city of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Doing so, would re-establish a Christian presence. The Byzantine people were unaware of their declining power, and the violence that lay ahead of its people. Militarily, the government was quickly weakening, there was virtually no navy, and those who were enrolled in the army were receiving land grants instead of wages. Much of their army was staffed by Normans and Franks, despite the fact that many Byzantines despised the Franks. There was no better time for the Crusaders to attempt to defeat the unbeatable. However, when it came to crusading and gaining power and land, Pope Innocent III knew nothing about this, so he would need to turn to someone who did, and so he found the Venetians.
——— Read Full Text Below ———
