The World’s Shortest War Lasted Only 38 Minutes

追加: 2026-05-23

The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896, fought between the British Empire and the Sultanate of Zanzibar, holds the distinction of being the shortest war in recorded history, lasting only 38 minutes. This conflict arose from a succession dispute in Zanzibar, where the British launched a naval bombardment against the Sultan's palace. The war's extremely brief duration resulted from the overwhelming military superiority of the British forces combined with a critical strategic error by the Zanzibari defenders, who failed to mount an effective resistance. This historical event demonstrates how military power imbalances and strategic miscalculations can determine the outcome of conflicts in remarkably short timeframes.