Final answer:
British strategies during World War I exploited divisions within the Ottoman Empire to undermine Ottoman control, as exemplified by Storrs' belief in cultivating a figure to counteract the Sultan's call for holy war. Diverse populations were an integral consideration in imperial politics, both in British colonial maneuvering and Ottoman recruiting practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British official Storrs believed that a turbaned, white-bearded, and austere figure was ideally suited to critically affect the Ottoman Sultan's appeal for a holy war. This belief was part of broader British strategies to exploit religious, ethnic, and social divisions within the Ottoman Empire during World War I, ultimately contributing to its downfall. The Ottoman Empire contained diverse populations, including Turks, Arabs, and various Muslim ethnicities, which the British sought to separate from Ottoman control. One key figure in the British efforts was T.E. Lawrence, who worked with Arab leaders to ignite the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule. Additionally, the British instituted educational reforms in their colonies, which threatened to displace Muslims with Hindus in positions of authority, further exemplifying the manipulation of existing social structures for colonial ends.
Earlier historical examples of religious and social diversity managed by imperial powers include Akbar of India, who dismissed religious bigotry and aimed for equal public participation among all races and religions. The Ottoman Empire itself had implemented the devshirme system, taking Christian boys to serve the sultan, converting them to Islam, and training them for administrative or military roles, regardless of ethnic or family background. British and Ottoman history is replete with instances where religious, ethnic, or cultural differences were enflamed or minimized for political purposes.