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.
#118
Remembering British Colonialism and the Biafran War in Multiple Sites
Nigeria
The era of British colonisation and the Biafran War are the significant moments that have defined present-day Nigeria. The British occupation of Nigeria lasted from the 1880s until October 1 1960, whe… Read More
Remembering British Colonialism and the Biafran War in Multiple Sites
The era of British colonisation and the Biafran War are the significant moments that have defined present-day Nigeria. The British occupation of Nigeria lasted from the 1880s until October 1 1960, whe… Read More
The era of British colonisation and the Biafran War are the significant moments that have defined present-day Nigeria. The British occupation of Nigeria lasted from the 1880s until October 1 1960, when the country gained independence. Long-standing divisions between the three mai… 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
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. Under the leadership of Georgios Grivas, EOKA was an insurgent group that carrie… 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
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 communist regimes in Europe throughout the 20th century, including the resultant d… 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
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 London. The legacy of Galton and other eugenic scientists remains for many a sy… 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
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 outspoken attitude. During his sermons, he would make political comments andanti-Sem… Read More
#196
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
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
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 controversialfigure as the Governor of Libya. In 1933, the Illinois monument was erected after his… Read More
#43
Marshal Tito Square in Zagreb
Croatia
The Republic of Croatia Square in Zagreb has been renamed numerous times since the 20th century. Although its geographical place name sometimes referred to it, it was most well-known as the Square of… Read More
Marshal Tito Square in Zagreb
The Republic of Croatia Square in Zagreb has been renamed numerous times since the 20th century. Although its geographical place name sometimes referred to it, it was most well-known as the Square of… Read More
The Republic of Croatia Square in Zagreb has been renamed numerous times since the 20th century. Although its geographical place name sometimes referred to it, it was most well-known as the Square of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, the leader of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugosla… Read More
#446
Japanese War Memorial in Alor Setar
Malaysia
In 1941, Japan occupied Malaysia in the context of World War II. That same year, they built a stone monument in Alor Setar to honour three Japanese soldiers who were killed while securing the city’s b… Read More
Japanese War Memorial in Alor Setar
In 1941, Japan occupied Malaysia in the context of World War II. That same year, they built a stone monument in Alor Setar to honour three Japanese soldiers who were killed while securing the city’s b… Read More
In 1941, Japan occupied Malaysia in the context of World War II. That same year, they built a stone monument in Alor Setar to honour three Japanese soldiers who were killed while securing the city’s bridge to cut off Allied troops. The restoration of the memorial in 2019, officia… Read More
#86
Indro Montanelli Statue in Milan
Italy
The Indro Montanelli statue in Milan was built in 2006 by the then-mayor Gabriele Albertini. Initially, criticism arose for the funeral aesthetic and impression of the statue; some described it as a ‘… Read More
Indro Montanelli Statue in Milan
The Indro Montanelli statue in Milan was built in 2006 by the then-mayor Gabriele Albertini. Initially, criticism arose for the funeral aesthetic and impression of the statue; some described it as a ‘… Read More
The Indro Montanelli statue in Milan was built in 2006 by the then-mayor Gabriele Albertini. Initially, criticism arose for the funeral aesthetic and impression of the statue; some described it as a ‘funerary mummification.’ However, in the last years, it has been contested for M… Read More
#529
Green Bridge in Vilnius
Lithuania
The Green Bridge is located in the city centre of Vilnius, Lithuania, and since its rebuilding following the Second World War, it was decorated with four groups of statues created by multiple Lithuani… Read More
Green Bridge in Vilnius
The Green Bridge is located in the city centre of Vilnius, Lithuania, and since its rebuilding following the Second World War, it was decorated with four groups of statues created by multiple Lithuani… Read More
The Green Bridge is located in the city centre of Vilnius, Lithuania, and since its rebuilding following the Second World War, it was decorated with four groups of statues created by multiple Lithuanian artists in the Socialist realism style. Discussions about the statues split L… Read More
#179
Renaming Calhoun College in Yale University
USA
In 2015, Yale President Peter Salovey raised the issue of the namesake of Calhoun College during his address to incoming freshmen. The building had been named after a supporter of slavery, prompting u… Read More
Renaming Calhoun College in Yale University
In 2015, Yale President Peter Salovey raised the issue of the namesake of Calhoun College during his address to incoming freshmen. The building had been named after a supporter of slavery, prompting u… Read More
In 2015, Yale President Peter Salovey raised the issue of the namesake of Calhoun College during his address to incoming freshmen. The building had been named after a supporter of slavery, prompting university-wide debate about the value of changing the name of the residential bu… Read More
#47
Marian Column in Prague
Czech Republic
On February 15, 2020, work began on re-erecting the Marian Column Monument in Prague, which had been torn down on November 3, 1918. The column had stood in Old Town Square for more than 250 years befo… Read More
Marian Column in Prague
On February 15, 2020, work began on re-erecting the Marian Column Monument in Prague, which had been torn down on November 3, 1918. The column had stood in Old Town Square for more than 250 years befo… Read More
On February 15, 2020, work began on re-erecting the Marian Column Monument in Prague, which had been torn down on November 3, 1918. The column had stood in Old Town Square for more than 250 years before becoming the focus of tensions between religious and nationalist groups. Prop… Read More