Did you know that the shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes? It was between England and Zanzibar, two countries that probably wouldn’t come to mind as fierce military adversaries. But in 1896, a dispute over who would succeed the Sultan of Zanzibar led to a conflict that was over before it even began.
Zanzibar had recently appointed a new Sultan, Hamad bin Thuwaini, who was disliked by many in the country. A group of rebels supported a rival candidate, and when the Sultan died suddenly, they seized the palace and declared their man the new leader.
The British, who had a protectorate over Zanzibar, demanded that the rebels stand down and recognize the new Sultan appointed by them. When the rebels refused, the British responded by positioning their warships in the harbor and issuing an ultimatum: the rebels had until 9:00 a.m. the next day to surrender, or else face military action.
The rebels did not take the British threat seriously and refused to back down. At 9:02 a.m. the next day, the British warships opened fire on the palace and destroyed it within minutes. The war was over before it had even really begun, with the British emerging victorious and the rebels fleeing into hiding.
The entire conflict lasted only 38 minutes, making it the shortest war in history. Though it may seem comical in retrospect, it was a serious matter for those involved. The conflict demonstrated the power of European imperialism over African countries during this time period and the consequences of challenging that power.
Today, the memory of the Zanzibar War lives on as a reminder of the fragility of international relations and the importance of peaceful conflict resolution. It’s also a fascinating piece of history to share with your friends at your next trivia night!
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