As a student of war or as we like to call it conflict we study the longest wars like the 100 years war between England and France……or the 7 years war once again between England and France ….then there was the US longest war until 2001 Vietnam and today we have the 18+ year war in Afghanistan……with all these so-called “long wars” can anyone tell me the shortest war in history?
I would imagine that there is a stampede to the Google machine…..
Let me help…..
Once again the UK is involved in the shortest war…..the Anglo-Zanzibar War….
The little known Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 is generally considered to be the shortest war in history, lasting for a grand total of 38 minutes.
The story begins with the signing of the Heligoland-Zanzibar treaty between Britain and Germany in 1890. This treaty effectively drew up spheres of influence between the imperial powers in East Africa; Zanzibar was ceded to British influence, whilst Germany was given control over mainland Tanzania.
With this new found influence, Britain declared Zanzibar a protectorate of the British Empire and moved to install their own ‘puppet’ Sultan to look after the region. Hamad bin Thuwaini, who had been a supporter of the British in the area, was given the position in 1893.
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-Shortest-War-in-History/
38 minutes?
Seriously?
Why bother?
I love my job!
Be Smart!
Learn Stuff!
Class Dismissed!
“Lego Ergo Scribo”