Notes:
conflict /ˈkɒn.flɪkt/ 紛争、争い;
ultimatum /ˌʌl.tɪˈmeɪ.təm/ 最後通告（相手に従わなければ行動を起こすと警告する最後の要求）;
artillery /ɑːˈtɪl.ə.ri/ 大砲;
consulate /ˈkɒn.sjə.lət/ 領事館（外国にある自国民を守るための政府の事務所）;
throne 王座;
colonial /kəˈləʊ.ni.əl/ 植民地の;
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The shortest war in history happened on August 27, 1896, between Britain and Zanzibar. It lasted only about 38 minutes. The conflict started when the Sultan of Zanzibar, Hamad bin Thuwaini, died. Britain wanted the new ruler to be someone friendly to them. But another man, Khalid bin Barghash, took the throne without British approval. The British gave him an ultimatum to step down. He refused, and instead gathered his soldiers and artillery near the palace. At 9:02 a.m., British warships began to fire at the palace. By 9:40 a.m., the palace was in ruins, and Khalid fled to the German consulate. More than 500 Zanzibaris were killed or wounded, while only one British sailor was injured. Afterward, Britain placed their chosen sultan on the throne. This tiny war shows how powerful Britain was during the colonial period.
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