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.

The Memorial to Comfort Women, with a woman sitting down, covered in fresh flowers with explanatory papers and plaques in front.
#224

Statue of Peace in Berlin

Germany

The ‘Statue of Peace’ in Berlin-Moabit commemorates ‘comfort women’, a euphemism for women who were sexually enslaved by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The memorial urges historical j… Read More

Statue of Peace in Berlin

The ‘Statue of Peace’ in Berlin-Moabit commemorates ‘comfort women’, a euphemism for women who were sexually enslaved by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The memorial urges historical j… Read More
The equestrian statue of General Julio Roca, with office buildings behind it, and a street full of people in front.
#4

Statue of President General Julio Argentino Roca in Buenos Aires

Argentina

Former Argentine President Julio Argentino Roca remains a divisive and controversial figure in his home country. Despite forging the foundations of the modern Argentine state, Roca’s campaigns in Pata… Read More

Statue of President General Julio Argentino Roca in Buenos Aires

Former Argentine President Julio Argentino Roca remains a divisive and controversial figure in his home country. Despite forging the foundations of the modern Argentine state, Roca’s campaigns in Pata… Read More
Close up view of the tower of peace
#89

Tower of Peace in Miyazaki

Japan

Built in 1938, the Hakkō Ichiu Tower in the Miyazaki prefecture was meant to embody the Japanese spirit. The stone reliefs of the Tower, as well as the carving ‘Hakkō Ichiu’ represent a world under Ja… Read More

Tower of Peace in Miyazaki

Built in 1938, the Hakkō Ichiu Tower in the Miyazaki prefecture was meant to embody the Japanese spirit. The stone reliefs of the Tower, as well as the carving ‘Hakkō Ichiu’ represent a world under Ja… Read More
Full shot view of Christopher Columbus Statue in Parque Colón, taken from the street with plaque visible
#4

Columbus Monument in Buenos Aires

Argentina

The Monument to Christopher Columbus has caused great controversy as part of the heritage and historical memory of Argentina. Opinions were divided between his legacy as a discoverer of the ‘New World… Read More

Columbus Monument in Buenos Aires

The Monument to Christopher Columbus has caused great controversy as part of the heritage and historical memory of Argentina. Opinions were divided between his legacy as a discoverer of the ‘New World… Read More
umn of Strength in San Francisco consists of three women grasping hands with their backs towards one another.
#205

‘Comfort Women’ Column of Strength in San Francisco, California

United States of America

In 2017, a civil society organisation unveiled a San Francisco monument dedicated to the “comfort women,” women compelled to provide sexual services for the Japanese military during World War II. The… Read More

‘Comfort Women’ Column of Strength in San Francisco, California

In 2017, a civil society organisation unveiled a San Francisco monument dedicated to the “comfort women,” women compelled to provide sexual services for the Japanese military during World War II. The… Read More
Two whales, as part of the Australia cook landing sculptures.
#9

Captain Cook Landing Sculptures in Botany Bay, Sydney

Australia

Captain James Cook’s landing site at Kamay Botany Bay has been a focus of public debate, contestation, commemoration, celebration, and mourning in Australia since the 1860s. The recent controversies o… Read More

Captain Cook Landing Sculptures in Botany Bay, Sydney

Captain James Cook’s landing site at Kamay Botany Bay has been a focus of public debate, contestation, commemoration, celebration, and mourning in Australia since the 1860s. The recent controversies o… Read More
Stone memorial in Jedwabne dedicated to murdered Jews with Hebrew inscription and pebbles on top
#125

Jedwabne Pogrom Memorial in Jedwabne

Poland

The Jedwabne pogrom memorial was renewed in 2001, following controversies surrounding who the perpetrators of the massacre were. This case study explores moral questions over the commemoration and mem… Read More

Jedwabne Pogrom Memorial in Jedwabne

The Jedwabne pogrom memorial was renewed in 2001, following controversies surrounding who the perpetrators of the massacre were. This case study explores moral questions over the commemoration and mem… Read More
The Statue of Haile Selassie, on the day of it's unveiling ceremony.
#54

Haile Selassie Statue at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

The 32nd African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in February 2019 was opened with the unveiling of a new statue of Ethiopia’s last emperor Haile Selassie. The statue, in honour of his founding role… Read More

Haile Selassie Statue at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa

The 32nd African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in February 2019 was opened with the unveiling of a new statue of Ethiopia’s last emperor Haile Selassie. The statue, in honour of his founding role… Read More
Statue in Peru of circles of pebbles in the middle of park with hunched figure in centre.
#123

The Eye that Cries Memorial in Lima

Peru

The Eye that Cries commemorates all victims of Peru’s two-decade-long internal conflict, regardless of political affiliation. In 2006, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights held in the Miguel Castr… Read More

The Eye that Cries Memorial in Lima

The Eye that Cries commemorates all victims of Peru’s two-decade-long internal conflict, regardless of political affiliation. In 2006, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights held in the Miguel Castr… Read More