Anglo-Zanzibar War History

 

The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought on August 27, 1896, is considered the shortest war in history, lasting only 40 minutes. The conflict was between the British Empire and the Sultanate of Zanzibar, a East African coastal state. The war was sparked by the death of Sultan Khalid and the subsequent dispute over who would succeed him.

The British, who had significant economic and political interests in Zanzibar, supported Khalid's nephew, Khalid bin Barghash, as the new Sultan. However, Khalid bin Barghash's rival, Hamoud bin Mohammed, was chosen by the Zanzibari royal family and had the support of Germany and Italy.

The British, concerned about their interests in the region, gave an ultimatum to Khalid bin Barghash to stand down and accept exile or face military action. Khalid refused to stand down and barricaded himself in the palace with his followers.

The British, with the support of the Indian Marine, launched a naval bombardment of the palace, destroying it and killing around 500 people. Khalid bin Barghash and his followers were captured and exiled. The war officially ended with the signing of a treaty recognizing Khalid bin Barghash's rival as the new Sultan.

The Anglo-Zanzibar War is notable for its brevity and the disparity in military power between the two sides. The British, with their superior naval technology and firepower, were able to defeat the Zanzibari forces with ease. The war also highlighted the continued imperialistic interests of European powers in Africa during the late 19th century.

In conclusion, The Anglo-Zanzibar War was a brief but significant event in the history of East Africa, lasting only 40 minutes but having far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. It serves as a reminder of the power dynamics at play during the colonial period and the impact of imperialism on the developing world.