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The Shortest War in History Lasted 38 Minutes
The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 lasted between 38 and 45 minutes. After the Sultan of Zanzibar refused a British ultimatum to stand down, the Royal Navy bombarded the palace, sinking the royal yacht and ending resistance almost immediately.
Why It’s Fascinating
It starkly illustrates the overwhelming military asymmetry of the colonial era. One side had a navy; the other had a wooden palace. The brevity of the conflict makes it a grim symbol of how imperial power operated.
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