Case Studies
To date, we have identified more than 600 cases across five continents. Our Case Studies relate to a wide array of historical legacies, including colonialism, enslavement, racism, fascism, sectarianism, 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 the complete removal of the monument, an 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 reviewed internally by the Contested Histories Team and then sent to our Academic Committee for external expert review before publication. They are revised when new developments in the case occur to provide the most accurate and up-to-date overview possible.
#215
Slave Auction Site Plaque in Charlottesville, Virginia
United States
On February 6, 2020, a historical plaque marking the site of a slave auction went missing in Charlottesville, Virginia. For some residents, the removal of the plaque revived complaints about the inade… Read More
Slave Auction Site Plaque in Charlottesville, Virginia
On February 6, 2020, a historical plaque marking the site of a slave auction went missing in Charlottesville, Virginia. For some residents, the removal of the plaque revived complaints about the inade… Read More
On February 6, 2020, a historical plaque marking the site of a slave auction went missing in Charlottesville, Virginia. For some residents, the removal of the plaque revived complaints about the inadequacy of the memorial; others felt the removal erased Black history. Five days l… Read More
#106
Duke of Sutherland Monument on Ben Bhraggie in Golspie, Scotland
United Kingdom
The Duke of Sutherland statue from 1837 has been contested already since the 1990s, when organisations and locals from the Highlands asked for its removal due to the Duke’s involvement in the Highland… Read More
Duke of Sutherland Monument on Ben Bhraggie in Golspie, Scotland
The Duke of Sutherland statue from 1837 has been contested already since the 1990s, when organisations and locals from the Highlands asked for its removal due to the Duke’s involvement in the Highland… Read More
The Duke of Sutherland statue from 1837 has been contested already since the 1990s, when organisations and locals from the Highlands asked for its removal due to the Duke’s involvement in the Highland clearances. In the last decades there have been different petitions and actions… Read More
#545
Bridge Honestino Guimares
Brazil
The Bridge Costa e Silva (named after the 2nd president of Brazil’s military dictatorship) in Brasília, Brazil, was inaugurated on February 6 1976, by the military president Ernesto Geisel, connecting… Read More
Bridge Honestino Guimares
The Bridge Costa e Silva (named after the 2nd president of Brazil’s military dictatorship) in Brasília, Brazil, was inaugurated on February 6 1976, by the military president Ernesto Geisel, connecting… Read More
The Bridge Costa e Silva (named after the 2nd president of Brazil’s military dictatorship) in Brasília, Brazil, was inaugurated on February 6 1976, by the military president Ernesto Geisel, connecting the ‘Lago Sul’ neighbourhood to Brasília’s downtown. Its name has been targeted… Read More
#43
Marshal Konev Statue in Prague
Czech Republic
In the Spring of 2020, the Prague 6 Municipality removed the monument to Marshal Konev from Náměstí Interbrigády (International Brigade Square). The statue had a long history of contestation and was e… Read More
Marshal Konev Statue in Prague
In the Spring of 2020, the Prague 6 Municipality removed the monument to Marshal Konev from Náměstí Interbrigády (International Brigade Square). The statue had a long history of contestation and was e… Read More
In the Spring of 2020, the Prague 6 Municipality removed the monument to Marshal Konev from Náměstí Interbrigády (International Brigade Square). The statue had a long history of contestation and was eventually removed in 2020 following a successful petition campaign the previous… Read More
#108
Van Heutz Indië-Nederland Monument in Amsterdam
Netherlands
Since its unveiling in 1935, the ‘Van Heutsz’ Monument has faced controversy surrounding the legacy of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, attributed to General Jo van Heutsz. The monument has survived de… Read More
Van Heutz Indië-Nederland Monument in Amsterdam
Since its unveiling in 1935, the ‘Van Heutsz’ Monument has faced controversy surrounding the legacy of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, attributed to General Jo van Heutsz. The monument has survived de… Read More
Since its unveiling in 1935, the ‘Van Heutsz’ Monument has faced controversy surrounding the legacy of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, attributed to General Jo van Heutsz. The monument has survived defacement, two bomb attacks, and years of decay. In 2001, in response to increasi… Read More
#99
Victor Schœlcher Statues in Fort-de-France and Schœlcher
Martinique, France
In May 2020, two statues of French administrator Victor Schoelcher were destroyed in Martinique by members of the local youth group Ligue de Défense Noire Africaine (LDNA/Black African Defence League)… Read More
Victor Schœlcher Statues in Fort-de-France and Schœlcher
In May 2020, two statues of French administrator Victor Schoelcher were destroyed in Martinique by members of the local youth group Ligue de Défense Noire Africaine (LDNA/Black African Defence League)… Read More
In May 2020, two statues of French administrator Victor Schoelcher were destroyed in Martinique by members of the local youth group Ligue de Défense Noire Africaine (LDNA/Black African Defence League). Despite being a celebrated figure for his role in abolishing slavery in the Fr… Read More
#95
Martyr’s Square and Statue in Beirut
Lebanon
Martyrs’ Square, a public space in Beirut, Lebanon, has a century-long history as a cultural symbol and centre of political resistance. Throughout multiple transformations and governmental regimes, Ma… Read More
Martyr’s Square and Statue in Beirut
Martyrs’ Square, a public space in Beirut, Lebanon, has a century-long history as a cultural symbol and centre of political resistance. Throughout multiple transformations and governmental regimes, Ma… Read More
Martyrs’ Square, a public space in Beirut, Lebanon, has a century-long history as a cultural symbol and centre of political resistance. Throughout multiple transformations and governmental regimes, Martyrs’ Square has represented the confl icts and turmoil of Lebanon itself. The… Read More
#38
Ahn Jung-geun Memorial in Harbin
China
In 2014, the Ahn Jung-geun memorial was inaugurated in Harbin railway station, China. Itspurpose was to commemorate the Korean patriot who assassinated the Japanese statesman ItoHirobumi in 1909, in t… Read More
Ahn Jung-geun Memorial in Harbin
In 2014, the Ahn Jung-geun memorial was inaugurated in Harbin railway station, China. Itspurpose was to commemorate the Korean patriot who assassinated the Japanese statesman ItoHirobumi in 1909, in t… Read More
In 2014, the Ahn Jung-geun memorial was inaugurated in Harbin railway station, China. Itspurpose was to commemorate the Korean patriot who assassinated the Japanese statesman ItoHirobumi in 1909, in this very station, as an act of resistance against Meiji Japan’s imperialexpansio… Read More
#66
76th Infantry Regiment Memorial in Hamburg
Germany
The 76th Infantry Regiment Memorial was built in Hamburg, Germany, in 1936 to commemorate soldiers who had died in the Franco-Prussian War and the First World War. The memorial, constructed during Nat… Read More
76th Infantry Regiment Memorial in Hamburg
The 76th Infantry Regiment Memorial was built in Hamburg, Germany, in 1936 to commemorate soldiers who had died in the Franco-Prussian War and the First World War. The memorial, constructed during Nat… Read More
The 76th Infantry Regiment Memorial was built in Hamburg, Germany, in 1936 to commemorate soldiers who had died in the Franco-Prussian War and the First World War. The memorial, constructed during National Socialist rule, has been criticised for glorifying military conflict. This… Read More
#498
Victims of Political Repression Monument in Tayshet
Russia
In the summer of 2020, a monument to the victims of Stalinist political repression was unveiled in the city of Tayshet in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. On July 4, 2020, the monument was vandalised and defac… Read More
Victims of Political Repression Monument in Tayshet
In the summer of 2020, a monument to the victims of Stalinist political repression was unveiled in the city of Tayshet in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. On July 4, 2020, the monument was vandalised and defac… Read More
In the summer of 2020, a monument to the victims of Stalinist political repression was unveiled in the city of Tayshet in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. On July 4, 2020, the monument was vandalised and defaced, making the inscription illegible. During Soviet rule, the Gulag camp Taishet… Read More
#79
Statue of Unity in Gujarat
India
On Vallabhai Jhaverbhai Patel’s 143rd birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India’s tribute to him in the form of the world’s tallest statue. Standing at 182 metres, the Statue of Unity is a… Read More
Statue of Unity in Gujarat
On Vallabhai Jhaverbhai Patel’s 143rd birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India’s tribute to him in the form of the world’s tallest statue. Standing at 182 metres, the Statue of Unity is a… Read More
On Vallabhai Jhaverbhai Patel’s 143rd birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India’s tribute to him in the form of the world’s tallest statue. Standing at 182 metres, the Statue of Unity is almost double the height of the Statue of Liberty. It was revealed with military… Read More
#169
Codrington Library, All Souls College in Oxford
UK
In 2015, the student organisation Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford began to place sustained pressureon All Souls College to confront the legacy of their ‘Codrington Library’ – named for the enslaveran… Read More
Codrington Library, All Souls College in Oxford
In 2015, the student organisation Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford began to place sustained pressureon All Souls College to confront the legacy of their ‘Codrington Library’ – named for the enslaveran… Read More
In 2015, the student organisation Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford began to place sustained pressureon All Souls College to confront the legacy of their ‘Codrington Library’ – named for the enslaverand benefactor Christopher Codrington. Across two ‘waves’ of targeted protest in 2… Read More