British policy towards Zanzibar 1856 – 1870

Abstract

There were many reasons for the British interest Zanzibar. Major among these reasons in the Saeeds seizure of Zanzibar. In view of their good relationship with the Saeeds the British tries to dominate the whole region under the pretext of fighting slave trade.

The British took advantage of conflicts among the heirs of Saeed after his death to create problems over the question of Muscat`s ascendancy over Zanzibar . The dispute between Sultan Majid and his brother Sultan Thwaini after the latter`s attempt to take over Zanzibar gave the British the chance to divide Oman between the two warring brothers as the major step in the way to the separation of Zanzibar from Muscat