Case Studies

To date, we have identified more than five hundred cases on five continents. Our Case Studies relate to a wide array of historical legacies, including colonialism, enslavement, racism, fascism, sectarianism, anti-semitism, communism, authoritarianism, sexual violence and others. To address these often contested legacies, decision-makers and other parties have chosen various remedies. This can take the form of complete removal of the monument, artistic intervention to alter the statue or increased signage for contextualisation.

Case Studies focus on the historical background, history of the contestation, the decision-making process and the remedy employed. Once our Researchers complete them, the Case Studies are internally reviewed by the Contested Histories Team before being sent out for external expert review by our Academic Committee before publication. They are revised when new developments relating to the case to give the most accurate and up-to-date overview possible.

#173

Edward Colston Statue in Bristol

UK

The legacy of Edward Colston, a Bristol-born merchant and Royal African Company executive, involves a complex history relating to local politics, educational institutions, and organisations in Bristol… Read More

Edward Colston Statue in Bristol

The legacy of Edward Colston, a Bristol-born merchant and Royal African Company executive, involves a complex history relating to local politics, educational institutions, and organisations in Bristol… Read More
#119

Skenderbeu Monument in Skopje

North Macedonia

The Skopje 2014 project, whose objective was to create a ‘homogenised space’ that showcased Macedonian history and culture, was decisive for installing the Sekenderbeu monument. Even though the monume… Read More

Skenderbeu Monument in Skopje

The Skopje 2014 project, whose objective was to create a ‘homogenised space’ that showcased Macedonian history and culture, was decisive for installing the Sekenderbeu monument. Even though the monume… Read More
Prince Albert Statue in Dublin
#442

Prince Albert Statue in Dublin

Ireland

Unveiled in 1871, this statue commemorates Prince Albert – the husband and Prince Consort of Queen Victoria – in the grounds of Leinster House. The statue was moved to its current position in 19… Read More

Prince Albert Statue in Dublin

Unveiled in 1871, this statue commemorates Prince Albert – the husband and Prince Consort of Queen Victoria – in the grounds of Leinster House. The statue was moved to its current position in 19… Read More
Bright Bimpong Freedom Statue in Copenhagen
#510

Bright Bimpong Freedom Statue in Copenhagen

Denmark

A copy of Bright Bimpong’s Freedom statue was gifted to Denmark by individuals from the Virgin Islands in 2017, to mark the 100th anniversary of Denmark selling the islands to the United States. In 20… Read More

Bright Bimpong Freedom Statue in Copenhagen

A copy of Bright Bimpong’s Freedom statue was gifted to Denmark by individuals from the Virgin Islands in 2017, to mark the 100th anniversary of Denmark selling the islands to the United States. In 20… Read More
#216

Robert E. Lee Statue in Charlottesville, Virginia

USA

The equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been the site of significant contention since 2012. Debates surrounding the monument intensified in 2016 with the establishment… Read More

Robert E. Lee Statue in Charlottesville, Virginia

The equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been the site of significant contention since 2012. Debates surrounding the monument intensified in 2016 with the establishment… Read More
#150

King Gustav III Statue in Stockholm

Sweden

In June 2020 the chairman of Afrosvenskarnas riksförbund (the Afro-Swedish National Federation) called for the removal of a statue of Gustav III, the king who brought Sweden into the transatlantic sla… Read More

King Gustav III Statue in Stockholm

In June 2020 the chairman of Afrosvenskarnas riksförbund (the Afro-Swedish National Federation) called for the removal of a statue of Gustav III, the king who brought Sweden into the transatlantic sla… Read More
#167

Rhodes Statue at Oriel College

UK

In 2015, the student organisation Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford was established to protest against the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College. The initial two-year campaign led to pr… Read More

Rhodes Statue at Oriel College

In 2015, the student organisation Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford was established to protest against the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College. The initial two-year campaign led to pr… Read More
#530

Georgios Grivas Statue in Limassol

Cyprus

From 1955 to 1960, the Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (EOKA) waged a campaign of violence and terror against the British authorities occupying Cyprus with the goal of enosis — union with Greece. Read More

Georgios Grivas Statue in Limassol

From 1955 to 1960, the Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (EOKA) waged a campaign of violence and terror against the British authorities occupying Cyprus with the goal of enosis — union with Greece. Read More
#132

Sighet Memorial in Sighetu Marmației

Romania

The Sighet Memorial is housed in a former Stalinist prison in Sighet that under Communist rule in Romania housed high profile political prisoners. The Memorial provides insight on the repression by co… Read More

Sighet Memorial in Sighetu Marmației

The Sighet Memorial is housed in a former Stalinist prison in Sighet that under Communist rule in Romania housed high profile political prisoners. The Memorial provides insight on the repression by co… Read More
#161

UCL Eugenics Inquiry in London, England

UK

In 1912, the First International Eugenics Conference was hosted in London. The conference was dedicated to Francis Galton, whose legacy with eugenics continues to be associated with University College… Read More

UCL Eugenics Inquiry in London, England

In 1912, the First International Eugenics Conference was hosted in London. The conference was dedicated to Francis Galton, whose legacy with eugenics continues to be associated with University College… Read More
#128

Henryk Jankowski Statue in Gdansk

Poland

Henryk Jankowski was an eminent cleric in Poland renowned for his role in the anti-communistSolidarity movement during the 1980s. After the fall of communism in the 1990s, he becamefamous for his outs… Read More

Henryk Jankowski Statue in Gdansk

Henryk Jankowski was an eminent cleric in Poland renowned for his role in the anti-communistSolidarity movement during the 1980s. After the fall of communism in the 1990s, he becamefamous for his outs… Read More
#196

USA: Italo Balbo Monument and Drive in Chicago, Illinois

USA

Italo Balbo was an Italian fascist General who served as Mussolini’s Marshal of the Air Force andthen as Governor of Libya. While being celebrated for his aerial feats, he remains a controversialfigur… Read More

USA: Italo Balbo Monument and Drive in Chicago, Illinois

Italo Balbo was an Italian fascist General who served as Mussolini’s Marshal of the Air Force andthen as Governor of Libya. While being celebrated for his aerial feats, he remains a controversialfigur… Read More