Arab nationalism grew out of the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. As the empire weakened and favored Western powers over Arab Muslims, Arab nationalist clubs formed seeking to restore Arab culture and Islam. The Ottomans cracked down on these groups, fueling calls for Arab independence. After World War 1, the Allied powers supported Arab nationalist revolts against the Ottomans. Arab nationalism advocated political union among Arab peoples based on shared culture, language, religion and history. Figures like Saddam Hussein and Gamal Abdel Nasser promoted Arab nationalism and sought to reduce Western influence in the Arab world.