Contested Histories Initiative

The Contested Histories Initiative is honoured to be designated as the 2024 Gold Standard Internship Host by Careers Service, University of Oxford!

Unveiled in 1871, the Prince Albert statue in Dublin commemorates Queen Victoria's husband but has become a symbol of British colonial rule over Ireland. Once relocated in 1924 to make way for Irish independence leaders, it now stands at Leinster House amidst calls for removal. A 2018 petition highlighted its colonial ties, but its removal stalled due to ownership uncertainties. What's next for this divisive monument? Find out by reading the full case study on our website: https://lnkd.in/e5K4QgAm

🔔Call for Piloting and Reviewing of the Monument(al) Challenges Toolkit! Are you a passionate educator looking to bring history to life in your classroom? Help us shape the Monument(al) Challenges Toolkit - an innovative resource that focuses on monuments to engage students in critical thinking and historical reflection! We are looking for secondary education teachers to pilot 1-2 lessons of the Toolkit and provide feedback by December 1st, 2024. ✉️Interested? You can find more information on our website: https://lnkd.in/e-qUFmyF

Gifted by the Virgin Islands in 2017 to commemorate 100 years since Denmark sold the islands to the U.S., the Freedom statue now stands outside Copenhagen's Eigtveds Pakhus. This powerful artwork, depicting an enslaved Ghanaian blowing a conch shell, has reignited debates about Denmark's colonial legacy and calls for a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. While no official apology has been made, the statue is a lasting symbol of remembrance and dialogue. Read more on this monument in our newest case study, available on the Contested Histories website: https://lnkd.in/eAP5FKG3 n-copenhagen/

🎶 What role has music played in political movements? How has music sparked revolutions and challenged oppression? How can music transcend time and unite people? From the Baltic "Singing Revolution" to Chilean protest anthems, Belgian independence operas, and Pussy Riot's rebellious performances, discover how songs have reshaped history and inspired change. Read the new blog post on Contested Histories website: https://lnkd.in/egfbpq7x

The equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been a point of controversy since 2012, with debates intensifying after a violent rally in 2017. While some argued the statue symbolised racism, others felt removing it would erase history. In 2021, the statue was removed, and after legal challenges, it was melted down in 2023. The brass will be used to create a new art piece. This case study examines the complexities and violence linked to Confederate monuments in the U.S. Read the full case study on our website! https://lnkd.in/e5DupNua

In 2020, the Afro-Swedish National Federation called for the removal of King Gustav III's statue in Stockholm, citing his role in Sweden’s colonial past and involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. This sparked national debate, with critics opposing the removal, arguing it would erase history. Others supported a re-evaluation of public monuments to reflect modern anti-racist values. The controversy highlights Sweden’s complex relationship with its colonial history and ongoing discussions about race, memory, and historical accountability. Read the full case study: https://lnkd.in/eTGvNPv4

The contested legacy of Cecil Rhodes' statue at Oriel College, Oxford, centres on its representation of colonialism and white supremacy. While some view Rhodes as a symbol of British exceptionalism and imperialism, others see the statue as a painful reminder of racial injustice. Oriel College's approach to address the debate involves keeping the statue but providing contextual education to foster critical discussions about colonialism, race, and historical legacies. This initiative seeks to transform the statue into a tool for reflection on the complexities of history and its ongoing impact on society today. Read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/eVq-h9RF

From 1955-1960, the Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (EOKA), led by Georgios Grivas, launched a violent insurgency against British rule in Cyprus. Their goal was enosis - the union of Cyprus with Greece - and they pursued this through sabotage, riots, and attacks, disregarding the objections of Turkish Cypriots. While their efforts were instrumental in Cyprus gaining independence in 1960, the controversial tactics and exclusionary vision of EOKA continue to spark debate. This case study explores the complex legacy of Grivas and the lasting tensions over his role in Cyprus's history. Read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/es9dWMnJ

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 symbol of racism, imperialism and inequality. This study examines the decision-making process of UCL to modify the historical legacy of eugenics, which until recently remained visually present in UCL buildings and facilities. The case study examines how different academic actors, including university professors, students and administrators, responded to official attempts to come to terms with UCL’s eugenic legacy. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dhxEQ-XU