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This article is part of the "Wars of Africa" set of articles nominated for Version 0.7. Discuss this nomination, or see the set nominations page for more details.

Contents 1 POV statement? 2 International Politics 2.1 After 2001 3 his nephew, Khalid bin Bargash, seized power in what amounted to a coup d'état.

[edit] POV statement?

While the war is often seen as a comic episode in military history, it nevertheless exemplifies the late 19th-century colonial policies of the British Empire, including a disregard for local traditions and legitimate governments, a willingness to carry out conflicts with its German rival on the backs of the local population, and a willingness to use its firepower on civilian populations to reach its aims. (I've moved this here from the article for now. — Matt Crypto 23:43, 10 August 2005 (UTC))

Why is there an anti-British statement at the bottom of the page? Can it be removed or rephrased please.. User:81.157.249.121.

Because it more or less accurately describes the situation, and because it's also pretty much the common interpretation of the conflict amomg historians - I won't mind a more NPOV phrasing (would it be better if the sentence read "Despite blahblah, most historinas agree that..." ?), but I think the paragraph shold be there to counter the common view that the whole episode was some sort of comedy event (the Guinness book entry, for example, reads like the affair was a little joke and conveniently ignores that several hundred people died in the conflict, despite its short duration) -- Ferkelparade π 15:27, 17 May 2005 (UTC))

I don't object if it's a common historical interpretation, but it currently reads like it's someone's personal thoughts on the matter. Maybe it would be better to attribute this sort of commentary to someone -- maybe a quote? — Matt Crypto 15:34, 17 May 2005 (UTC)

I agree. That's a pretty out of order thing to say. Wikipedia is meant to be neutral and clearly that is not a neutral comment. While the British may have been ruthless in their colonisation of Africa, it doesn't warrant a comment such as that. And an administation resulting from a coup d'etat could never be described as a legitimate form of government just because the British may be perceived as an aggressor against it.

Yeah, it's quite clearly editorialising. I've moved it here for now. It could be NPOV'd by adding a "some historians argue that it exemplifies..." at the beginning, but I'd like to see an actual source first. — Matt Crypto 23:41, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

Does "neutral point of view" mean "don't criticise anyone"? SpookyMulder 09:48, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

"No Original Research" means that we don't editorialise. We have to limit ourselves to representing criticisms published in reliable sources on the topic. As I said above, if this is a common historical interpretation on this matter, then we can use it, but we need sources. — Matt Crypto 10:37, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] International Politics

The article seems to give the detail sufficiently well as it stands but it seems to me it has no context. The German support, if not outright connivance with one candidate was a part of the power struggle between Britain and Germany both globally and in Africa. We ought to tie this into the larger 'scramble for Africa' as that gives a better explanation for why two powers were fighting indirectly over the place.

I think we also ought to make some mention of the consequences - Zanzibar was the centre of the trade and its abolition was a visible and practical change.Alci12

[edit] After 2001

What did the Sultan do after 2001?

[edit] his nephew, Khalid bin Bargash, seized power in what amounted to a coup d'état.

Can someone explain this issue in some more detail? Who was legitimate heir then? To seize power one should overthrow someone, isn't it right? Verdi1 06:09, 3 April 2006 (UTC)

I think the use of the phrase "coup d'état" is a bit misleading. There really was no legitimate heir, as in the Omani/Zanzibari political system the succession went to whomever could seize power, generally due to the consensus support of the notables, which Khalid had, overwhelmingly, which is one of the primary reasons the British were against his succession, as this would make him less dependent upon their support and potentially troublesome, especially given the rivalry with Germany. - John