The primary cause of the fall of the Ottoman Empire was a combination of internal strife and external pressures. Internally, the empire faced political corruption, economic challenges, and nationalist movements among various ethnic groups seeking independence. The empire's inability to modernize its military and economy compared to European powers further contributed to its decline. Externally, military defeats in WWI, particularly the loss of key territories, weakened its power. Ultimately, these factors culminated in the dismantling of the empire during and after the war, leading to the establishment of several new nations and a significant reconfiguration of the Middle East.