Winton Eliott
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups. It is typically characterized by violence and destruction using regular military forces.
Warfare refers to the common activities and characteristics of types of war in general.
Total war is warfare that does not restrict itself to only legitimate military targets which often results in civilian suffering and casualties.
Although some scholars of war studies maintain that war is a natural and inherited aspect of human beings, others contend it happens because of particular socio-cultural, economic, or ecological conditions.
What was the shortest war in history?
The shortest war in history was the Anglo-Zanzibar War, also known as the 1896 Zanzibar Revolution. The war lasted a mere 38 minutes.
On August 27, 1896, British forces led by Rear Admiral Harry Rawson launched an attack on Sultan Khalid bin Barghash’s palace in Zanzibar, a small island off the coast of East Africa.
The war was a result of conflicts over succession to the throne after the previous sultan, Hamad bin Thuwaini, died.
The attacking British forces used several ships and 1,700 men while Sultan Khalid’s forces consisted of roughly 500 men with only one outdated ship and minimal artillery.
The British forces quickly gained control and Sultan Khalid was forced to flee to German East Africa (now Tanzania).
The war resulted in only one British casualty and approximately 500 casualties on the Zanzibari side.
Following the war, the British imposed a Treaty of Friendship and Protection on Zanzibar, placing it under their imperial rule until the country gained independence in 1963.
Despite its short duration, the Anglo-Zanzibar War serves as a reminder of the destructive capabilities of imperialist forces and their impact on smaller nations.
It also highlights the complexities of succession and conflict in monarchies, as well as the role of international alliances in warfare.
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What are some shortest wars in history?
Yom Kippur War (18 days)
The Yom Kippur War was a conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab states that lasted for 18 days in October 1973.
The war began on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, and ended with a ceasefire on October 25. It was the most devastating war in Israel’s history, claiming the lives of over 2,000 Israelis and wounding nearly 7,000 more.
More than 400 Israeli tanks were destroyed, and Israel lost over 100 aircraft. In the weeks after the war, Israel began to rebuild its military forces, and in January 1974, Egypt and Syria signed a peace treaty.
The Yom Kippur War was a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and its aftermath is still felt today.
Six-Day War (6 days)
The Six-Day War was a brief but intense conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors in June 1967.
The war began when Israel launched a surprise attack on Egypt, quickly gaining control of the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip.
In the following days, Israel also captured the West Bank from Jordan and the Golan Heights from Syria. The war ended with a ceasefire on June 10, and Israel gained control of a territory four times its pre-war size.
The Six-Day War had long-lasting consequences, including the displacement of thousands of Palestinians and the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Football War (100 hours)
The Football War, also known as the 100 Hour War, was a brief conflict between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969.
Tensions had been rising for years over immigration and disputed land along the countries’ shared border. In July 1969, a series of football (soccer) matches between the national teams escalated into armed conflict.
The war lasted for 100 hours before a ceasefire was declared, and a peace treaty was signed in October of the same year.
The conflict resulted in over 3,000 casualties and caused tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
The tensions between El Salvador and Honduras have never fully been resolved, and the Football War remains a dark chapter in the countries’ histories.
Sino-Vietnamese War (17 days)
The Sino-Vietnamese War was a brief but intense conflict between China and Vietnam in February 1979.
The war began as a result of border clashes and deteriorating relations between the two communist nations. After 17 days of fighting, Vietnam declared victory and withdrew its forces from Chinese territory.
Although the war was short, it resulted in thousands of casualties and further strained relations between China and Vietnam.
The Sino-Vietnamese War was a demonstration of Vietnam’s military strength and marked a shift in the country’s alliances, as it began to draw closer to the Soviet Union following the conflict.
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The takeaway
The shortest war in history is often considered to be the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896. The war lasted a grand total of 45 minutes, making it the shortest recorded conflict in terms of time.
The war began when the Sultan of Zanzibar refused to comply with a series of demands made by the British government. In response, the British Navy bombarded the city of Zanzibar, quickly forcing the Sultan to surrender.
Although the war was over in a matter of minutes, it nonetheless resulted in over 500 casualties. The Anglo-Zanzibar War serves as a reminder that even the shortest conflicts can have devastating consequences.
