The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896, lasting only 38 minutes, is recorded as the shortest war in history by the Guinness Book of World Records
This conflict demonstrated British dominance in Zanzibar, highlighting the unequal power dynamics with Zanzibar having no real chance of victory
The war occurred against the backdrop of European colonial exploitation in Africa, with countries like Germany, Great Britain, and France vying for control
The conflict was precipitated by the death of the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini and the subsequent seizing of the throne by his cousin, Khalid bin Barghash, amid rumors of foul play
Khalid bin Barghash’s desire for Zanzibar's sovereignty and continuation of the slave trade clashed with British interests, particularly their goal to abolish slavery
Given an ultimatum to abdicate by 9 am on August 27, 1896, Khalid instead prepared for defense, ignoring British warnings
The British response was swift and decisive, with Royal Navy ships bombarding the Sultan’s palace from the harbor, rendering Khalid's defenses ineffective
The war ended in just 38 minutes, with Khalid's forces overwhelmed and him seeking asylum in the German consulate
The British casualty was minimal, with one loss out of a thousand, while Khalid's side suffered significantly, with 500 out of 3,000 killed
Following the war, the British installed their preferred ruler and abolished slavery in Zanzibar, marking a significant shift in the island's political landscape and its relation with the British Empire