What are rules for statues?

Statues are controversial and have caused demonstrations, protests and campaigns in South Africa and abroad.

Should we have statues of Cecil John Rhodes, an arrogant British imperialist who wanted to impose British culture, including railway lines, cricket and the English language, upon Africa? His Jameson Raid was a cause of the Boer War.

How about King Shaka, a Zulu imperialist who probably caused more death and destruction in South Africa than any other man in history?

Recently, there have been riots and violent demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the US over the removal of a statue of Robert E Lee, the general who lead the forces of the southern, confederate states in the American Civil War (1861-65) against the northern, union states.

Lee’s is a difficult case. The first reason for the war was slavery which the north, which was industrial, wanted to end – sort of – and the south, which was agricultural, wanted to keep.

Lee, although he did not want to abolish slavery immediately, wrote: “There are few I believe, but what I will acknowledge, that slavery, as an institution, is a moral and political evil in any country.”

General McClellan, who led the northern forces, seemed much more proslavery.

Lee’s reason for fighting was not to preserve slavery but to defend the sovereignty of his own state, Virginia, against northern aggression.

Although the south was hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, Lee and his brilliant lieutenant, “Stonewall” Jackson, won a series of shattering victories over stronger northern forces. Eventually, though, superior force won the war for the north.

Lee was acknowledged as the greatest general in the war, although probably too aggressive. He was also seen as a kind and noble man of high integrity.

The US is a great country which owes unrivalled success to its good system of government and its enterprising people. But there are two terrible stains on its history: slavery and the annihilation of its indigenous people.

Should Lee’s statues be removed because he fought on the side that wanted to keep slavery, even if this was not his reason for fighting?

What are the rules for statues?