Decline of the Ottoman Empire
Major problems for the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century:
Growing nationalism among the peoples within the empire: they wanted independence.
European countries coveted the Middle East for economic (oil, Suez Canal), political (expansion of power), and religious reasons (Biblical events took place here).
For Great Britain specifically: the Suez Canal was 'the lifeline of the British Empire', the fastest route to their colony in India.