Tanzania in East Africa, one of the origins of mankind. In the Indian Ocean to the east of Tanzania, there are two small islands, one called Zanzibar and the other called Pemba Island, which is now Tanzanian territory. Zanzibar has an area of 1651 square kilometers, which is about the same size as Xiamen. Pemba Island small dot, 980 km².
Location of Zanzibar and Tanzania
The two islands were originally an independent country, not to mention just a projectile land, because of their special location, they became a transit point for African, Arab and Persian merchants to trade, so they were once very prosperous. Once you have money, someone covets your property, just like a fly always stares at. Zanzibar has money, and the bad guys are coming. Zanzibar began to recognize Dad's years everywhere.
In 1498, the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama arrived, and Zanzibar lost its former tranquility. Portuguese colonists followed vasco da Gama's lead to Africa, turning large amounts of African land, including Zanzibar, into colonies. For nearly two hundred years, the Portuguese were blessed in Zanzibar, and Zanzibar had to recognize the Portuguese as their fathers.
Vasco da Gamma was a Portuguese navigator
But the Portuguese dad was not a good waiter, and often quarreled with the local Muslim elite in Zanzibar. At this time, a new state arose in the Indian Ocean, called Oman. As a West Asian country, Oman defeated portugal, a traditional power in the Indian Ocean, and almost ruled the Indian Ocean coast, Zanzibar broke away from Portugal and threw himself into the arms of Papa Oman.
Oman's father was really good to Zanzibar, really regarded Zanzibar as his own son, and once moved the capital to Zanzibar. As mentioned earlier, Zanzibar was a transit point for regional trade, and the regional trade during this period was the slave trade. Oman trafficked large numbers of black slaves throughout the world through Zanzibar and made a lot of money.
Zanzibar Black Slave Doctrine Memorial Statue
However, the emperor has always taken turns, and the modern Asian region, whether it is East Asia, West Asia or South Asia, can not avoid a big boss is britain, the claws of the sun never set empire has once ravaged the whole of Asia in modern times. Naturally, Oman could not escape.
In the first half of the nineteenth century, Britain began to meddle in the slave trade between Asia and Africa, and Oman declined rapidly. In 1856, omani ruler Said bin Sultan died, his two sons divided the country, and Zanzibar became an independent state. It didn't take long for Oman to become a British colony and began to call others Daddy.
Zanzibar scenery today
Against the backdrop of the Western powers vying for colonies around the world, Zanzibar could not stand alone. In the second half of the nineteenth century, Germany, France, and Britain all seized colonies in East Africa, and Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890. The Protectorate was nothing more than a well-spoken colony, and after decades of independence, Zanzibar finally welcomed a new father.
According to the agreement signed between Britain and Zanzibar, Britain did not interfere in Zanzibar's internal affairs, but Zanzibar's diplomatic power was handled by the British chargé d'affaires, and the succession to the throne of the Sultan of Zanzibar required the consent of the British government.
In 1893, Zanzibar Sultan Hamad bin Tuwaini ascended the throne, an extremely pro-British sultan who was particularly filial to his father. However, Zanzibar was very unhappy about this. In order to protect Hamad's safety, the British also set up a 1,000-strong defense force for him.
Hamad bin Tuvaini
On August 25, 1896, at the age of 39, Hamad died suddenly, and his 29-year-old nephew Khalid bin Bagash was suspected of being Hamad's murderer. Khalid himself did not live up to this suspicion, and as soon as Hamad died, he moved into the Zanzibar Royal Palace with a big wave, openly declaring himself the new sultan.
Did Khalid have a murderer? In the end, who Zanzibar wants to appoint as sultan, before the British came, this was originally Zanzibar's internal affairs, and had nothing to do with foreign countries. However, the British are now the masters of Zanzibar, so who becomes sultan must be decided by the British.
Khalid bin Bagash
It was as if Cixi had reinstated the government after the Coup d'état, and diplomats of the great powers had strongly demanded that the Qing court must ensure the safety of Guangxu, who was the emperor they recognized. In the end, Empress Dowager Cixi had no choice but to ask the doctors sent by the great powers to examine Guangxu's body and make sure he was safe and sound.
Speaking of Zanzibar, Hamad, who established himself as sultan, is really not the heir of the sultan favored by the British, because Khalid has always hated the British and has always looked down on the former Sultan Hamad. The heir apparent to the British was Hamad, another nephew of Hamad.
Hamad
The British accused Khalid of violating the agreement between the two sides without British consent. The British portrait Khalid gave an ultimatum demanding that he must leave the palace at 9 a.m. on August 27 to cede the sultan's position to Hamad. Khalid said a word to the Englishman: "Oh! "Then start preparing.
Khalid's preparation plan was very close to the people. He first found more than 2800 civilians, with a few rifles, which is the army. He sent a few fishermen to board a wooden dhow, and there was a navy. Then a seventeenth-century bronze cannon was sent, which was considered artillery. General Lloyd Matthews, who represented Britain, had two cruisers and a gunboat at hand, as well as a formally trained British navy.
At 9 a.m. on August 27, the time limit for the British ultimatum arrived, and General Lloyd Matthews immediately ordered the troops to open fire. Khalid's three armies collapsed in an instant at the sound of British artillery fire, and after a very infernal exchange of fire, the war ended at 9:38.
The Palace after the bombing
It was the shortest war on record in history. Khalid went into exile and Hamed became the Sultan of Zanzibar. Thereafter, Zanzibar remained a British colony until independence from colonial rule in 1963 and found its last father, Tanzania, the following year, until today.