Final answer:
The British encouraged the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during WWI, intending to maintain influence in the Middle East post-rebellion. The British also exploited similar upheavals in Egypt and expanded control over India, manipulating local unrest for imperial gains. The post-war mandate system continued to enforce Western control, contrary to promises of Arab independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British sought to undermine the Ottoman Empire by supporting the Arab Revolt, a rebellion led by the Sharif of Mecca. They promised the Arabs independence from Ottoman control, but ultimately had plans for the region that would maintain British influence. Notably, the efforts of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and Faisal ibn Hussein were critical in disrupting Ottoman control during World War I. However, the resulting conclusion of the war did not grant the desired independence to Arab lands, which were instead split into mandates controlled by European powers, undermining the initial promises made to the Arab leaders. In addition to leveraging rebellions, the British had earlier exerted their control in instances such as the Anglo-Egyptian War, where they defeated Colonel Ahmed Urabi's nationalist uprising and established control over Egypt and Sudan. This pattern of exploiting local unrest and political opportunities to expand British control was also seen in India, where they transitioned the region from a manufacturing economy to an export-oriented one, producing raw materials for British industries. The ultimate outcome for the Middle East involved British and French mandate rule over the former Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire, as endorsed by the League of Nations, perpetuating a form of imperialism under a different guise.