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Located off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is now an independent island but is part of Tanzania. In 1890, Zanzibar was under British control, but in 1964, after the conquest, it joined forces with Tanzania (then "Tanganyika") to form the modern country of the same name.
Shortest War Ever
The uprising that led to Zanzibar's independence from Britain was not the first in the islands. On August 27, 1896, the British Empire and Zanzibar fought a forty-minute war. Less than an hour later, the Anglo-Zanzibar War ended.
Anglo Zanzibar War In 1896 Was The Shortest War To Ever Happen In History, It Started And Ended Within 38 Minutes. — Steemit
Two days earlier, the Sultan of Zanzibar, Hamad bin Thuwaini, died suddenly. His successor, his cousin Khalid bin Bargash (whom many believe poisoned Hamad), was not well liked by the British—the kingdom wanted Hamud bin Muhammad to replace Hamad. Under a treaty signed ten years earlier, the British Empire was to accept a successor to the throne. Khaled refused to accept this. The European declared war on this, giving Khalid until 9 am local time on the 27th to abdicate. Khaled responded by locking himself in the palace under the protection of the palace guards.
As the 9 o'clock approached, the British forces approached. With over 1,000 land troops grouped with five ships - two gunboats and three gunboats - the British forces were formidable. The Sultan fought with his 2,800 men, although they were neither well armed nor well trained; the royal boat and two other boats (such as large boats); and a quartet of artillery batteries. Thirty minutes before the decision, the Sultan sent a message to the British embassy, \u200b\u200bBasil Cave, in which he said that he did not intend to abdicate his throne and did not think that the British would open fire. Cave replied and repeated the ultimatum: Put it down by 9 o'clock or prepare for a rain of artillery.
And at exactly 9 o'clock in the morning the gunboats received their orders: shoot. Within minutes, the promised palace received a shot. Royal Zanzibar Yacht
, tried to stop the attack by firing his guns at one of the warships - but by 9:15 the ships had been sunk by the British fleet.
The Anglo Zanzibar War Was The Shortest War In World History, Lasting Only 38 Minutes Long.
And two other Zanzibar boats. The attack on the palace killed or wounded more than 500 Zanzibari in about half an hour, and Sultan Khalid bin Bargash fled to the German embassy, where he took refuge.
At 9:40, the violence stopped and the Sultan's flag fell from the top of the palace. In general, this 40-minute war is the shortest in human history.
Eventually, Britain installed Hamud bin Muhammad on the throne, a position he held until his death in 1902. During his British-led rule, Sultan Hamoud, out of gratitude, abolished slavery on the island. Anglo-Zanzibar War. It has the dubious honor of being the shortest war in history, lasting about 38 minutes from the start of hostilities.
After the sudden death of the Sultan of Zanzibar, the British ambassador was outraged when the king's nephew claimed to be the new ruler. The ambassador reminded him that the new appointment would have to be approved by the British in terms of the security agreement. Rather than retreat, Khalid ibn Barghash barricaded himself in the palace with about 2,800 guards.
Late 19th Century Photograph
Britain's response was part of the "guns of diplomacy". The latter was sent to Khalid to resign, while three cruisers, two gunboats, 150 marines and sailors, and 900 Zanzibari soldiers were assembled at the port.
To their surprise, Khalid did not back down, but took up his weapons—which included several Maxim guns, a Gatling gun, a 17th-century brass cannon and two 12-pounder guns—and charged the British.
During this difficult time, a message arrived from the palace at eight o'clock in the morning on August 27, demanding negotiations. The British refused unless the terms of the ultimatum could be agreed. Khalid replied that he did not think the British would open it. After an hour and two minutes, they destroyed Khaled's weapons. In other words, the Royal Navy attacked the Zanzibar fleet that was its flagship
, the royal boat built by the previous king, which neither he nor his vassals liked or used. It sank and its crew was rescued. Her masts could be seen over the harbor river for 18 years.
The Anglo Zanzibar War
The shooting ended at 9.40 and Khaled surrendered. Of his followers, 500 were killed or wounded. One Briton was wounded. Khaled fled to the German embassy and went into exile. The British installed a new sultan in the afternoon, and the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 is known as the shortest war in history, lasting 38 minutes.
The story begins with the signing of the Treaty of Heligoland-Zanzibar between Britain and Germany in 1890. Zanzibar was handed over to British influence, while Germany was given control of Tanzania.
With this newfound influence, Britain declared Zanzibar a protectorate of the British Empire and decided to install its own "puppet" sultan to rule the region. Hamad bin Thuwaini, who was the British agent in the region, got this position in 1893.
Hamad ruled in this peaceful security for more than 3 years until August 25, 1896, he died suddenly in his palace. Although the truth will never be known about why he killed him, it is widely believed that his cousin Khalid ibn Barghash (pictured right) poisoned him.
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This belief is compounded by the fact that within a few hours of Hamad's death, Khalid had already moved into the palace and assumed the role of sultan, without British approval.
Needless to say, the local British ambassadors were not happy with the change, and soon the governor-general of the region, Basil Cave, declared that Khalid should stand down. Khalid ignored these warnings and instead began massing his forces around the palace.
These soldiers were amazingly armed, though it is worth noting that many of their rifles and cannons were actually diplomatic gifts given to the former sultan over the years! By the end of 25 August, Khalid had secured his palace with some 3,000 men, several artillery pieces, and a heavily armed royal yacht in a nearby port.
Soon, soldiers were sent ashore to protect the British ambassador and prevent the local population from rioting. Cave (pictured right) also requested backup from another nearby British ship, the
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Although Padukko had many weapons in port, he knew that he did not have the power to start a war without the permission of the British government. In planning all that was to come, he telegraphed to the Foreign Office that evening saying:
"Are we legitimate if we try to solve the problem of peace to be useless, and to shoot minors from men of war?"
The latter is carried by Commodore Harry Rawson, commander of the British fleet in the region. At the same time, Cave received a telegram from Whitehall saying:
"You are allowed to do what you want, and Her Majesty's Government will support you. However, do not attempt to do anything you are not sure you can do well."
This Day In History 08/27/1896: The Anglo Zanzibar War Took Place, Between The United Kingdom And Zanzibar. It Lasted From 9:02 Am To 9:40 Am (38 Minutes), Making It The Shortest War In
Khalid's final order was issued on August 26, ordering him to leave the palace by 9 am the next day. That night, Vanga also orders all non-military boats to leave port, preparing for war.
At eight o'clock the next morning, with only an hour left, Khalid sent a reply to Cave:
"We have no intention of taking down our flag, and we don't think you will shoot us," he added.
Cave hit back in 19th Century Britain, saying he didn't want to shoot minors.
Britain Defeats Zanzibar In The Shortest War Ever Fought (38 Minutes Long)
This was the last word al-Kahf heard from Khalid, and at 9 am the order was given to the British ships in the harbor to bombard the palace. By 09:02 most of Khalid's shields had been destroyed, and the wooden buildings of the palace with the 3,000 cannons inside had begun to crumble. Also at this time, two minutes after the bombing began, Khalid is said to have fled through the exit behind the palace, leaving his staff and fighters to defend the palace alone.
By 09:40, the ammunition had run out, the Sultan's flag had come down, and the shortest battle in history ended after only 38 minutes.
In such a short battle, casualties were surprisingly high with over 500 of Khalid's fighters killed or wounded, mostly by the large shells that exploded on the palace grounds. A young British soldier was also seriously wounded, but later recovered
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