Which is the Shortest War in History?

Imagine brewing a hot cup of coffee, only to find a world war has started and ended. You might think that global fights will always take many long years to fully end. However, one shocking event quickly changed the strict rules of modern war for everyone involved.

The shortest war in history is known today as the Anglo-Zanzibar War. This quick, armed fight took place on August 27, 1896. It happened between the massive British Empire and the local armed forces of Zanzibar. Shockingly, the British army won the entire fight and ended the war in exactly 38 minutes.

What Sparked the Shortest War in History?

The shortest war in history happened when British navy ships fired their guns at the royal palace in Zanzibar. This fight started because a man named Sultan Khalid bin Barghash took power as the brand new ruler. He took the throne without getting any clear okay from the local British leaders first. This bold move broke an older peace pact that was signed between the two countries.

Problems grew much worse when the old pro-British ruler, Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini, died without any early warning. His cousin Khalid quickly moved into the large royal palace to claim the empty throne. The powerful British Empire demanded that he step down from power and leave the grounds right away. Rear Admiral Harry Rawson of the British Royal Navy gave him a strict deadline of nine in the morning to give up.

Khalid wrongly believed the famous British navy ships were just bluffing about their clear threats. He decided to lock himself inside the giant wooden palace with nearly 3,000 armed local guards. Past written records show this stubborn choice caused an instant and deadly attack from the water.

You can clearly see how having much better weapons easily changes the outcome of any fight. Three large British ships and two smaller gunboats fully surrounded the local harbor that morning. They confidently aimed their massive heavy cannons right at the side of the wooden palace walls.

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At exactly nine in the morning, the strict clock deadline finally passed without any success. Sultan Khalid completely refused to leave his palace or give up to the naval ships. At two minutes past nine, the heavy British ships began firing their large naval guns.

They instantly broke the local cannons and quickly blew the large palace walls to pieces. At 40 minutes past nine, the palace flag fell to the ground to signal a total win. Military records show that the local forces suffered over 500 casualties during the attack.

Source: Richard Mohun

Meanwhile, only one British sailor suffered a minor injury during the entire short fight. This massive loss gap perfectly shows the huge power of the British navy back then. Most modern history books state that the shortest war lasted exactly 38 minutes from start to finish.

Interesting facts about the Anglo-Zanzibar War

1. Sultan Khalid bin Barghash fled through a back door and sought asylum in the German consulate.

2. Records from the British Admiralty confirm that Royal Navy gunners fired exactly 500 explosive shells, 4,100 machine-gun rounds, and 1,000 rifle bullets.

3. The intense palace fires caused roughly 500 casualties among the Zanzibari defenders.

4. Only one British sailor suffered severe injuries, and medical staff successfully treated him.

5. British officials famously charged the new, compliant Zanzibari government for the cost of the artillery shells they used to destroy the royal palace.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the shortest war in history?

The Anglo-Zanzibar War holds the official title of the shortest war in history. British forces defeated the Zanzibari defenders in just 38 minutes on August 27, 1896.

Where did the shortest war take place?

The shortest war in history took place between the British Royal Navy and the Sultanate of Zanzibar in 1896, which occurred in Stone Town, the capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate. The primary combat zone surrounded the royal palace on the East African coast.

Who won the Anglo-Zanzibar War?

The United Kingdom won the conflict decisively. The British Royal Navy destroyed the palace, forced the rogue sultan to flee, and installed a pro-British ruler.

Why did the British attack Zanzibar?

British commanders attacked Zanzibar because Sultan Khalid bin Barghash seized the throne illegally. A previous treaty gave the British Empire the authority to approve all royal successions.

Anglo-Zanzibar War Quick Facts

The Anglo-Zanzibar War remains a truly scary example of the rapid and extreme military power of today.