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Yes, I’m familiar with that! The shortest war in history took place between the British Empire and the Sultanate of Zanzibar on August 27, 1896. It lasted between 38 and 45 minutes, depending on the source. Here’s how it unfolded:
Background:
- Zanzibar, an island off the coast of East Africa, was a British protectorate, though it maintained a sultan and its own rulers. However, when the Sultan Hamoud bin Mohammed died, a successor, Sultan Khalid bin Barghash, took the throne without British approval.
- The British preferred another candidate, Sultan Hamoud, who was more favorable to their interests. When Sultan Khalid refused to step down, the British issued an ultimatum demanding he abdicate.
The War:
- On the morning of August 27, 1896, when the deadline for Khalid’s abdication passed, the British opened fire.
- The British had a modern navy with warships, including a heavily armed cruiser, and they bombarded the palace and other strategic targets.
- The Sultan’s forces, who were poorly equipped and had only a few artillery pieces and some local militia, were overwhelmed. The palace was destroyed, and the Sultan’s forces were quickly defeated.
Outcome:
- Sultan Khalid fled the palace and sought refuge in the German consulate (Germany was a rival colonial power in the region).
- The British declared victory, and Sultan Hamoud was installed as the new ruler, fully compliant with British interests.
Why so Short?
- The disparity in military strength between the two sides was immense. The British had far superior weaponry and tactics, while the Sultan’s forces were largely unprepared and outmatched.
- The war was effectively over once the British ships began their bombardment, leaving the Sultan’s forces with little chance of resistance.
It’s a fascinating piece of history, especially given how quickly it all transpired!
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