Throughout history, statues and other monuments have played a major part in human life and the celebration of the various achievements made by human beings. Most of the statues and monuments that have been created over time were of significant meaning to the people, and they represent important events in history. Some of the most famous monuments and statutes include the Eifel tower in France and the statue of liberty in New York. Through such statues and monuments, different generations of people can be reminded of where their country came from and some of the struggles made by those before them. Most governments and relevant institutions have made sure that important icons are well preserved to survive for many more years and give the coming generations a chance to experience them. 1 One of the most iconic statues in the United States and the world is the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the world. Commonly known as the Statute of Liberty, the important Icon has stood for many years, representative of the struggles made by the United States to achieve independence from its colonial master. To understand the importance of the statue to the people of New York and the United States, it is essential to investigate every aspect of the statue from the reasons for its existence to the various ways that it has influenced people in the United States and beyond.
How History has informed the Development of the Statue of Liberty
The idea of the statue of liberty was conceived towards the end of the American Revolution where all the states in the country were collectively fighting for their independence from Britain. 2 In around 1865, the United States had fought its colonial master who was Britain in a bid to gain full independence and start governing herself. Despite the spirit to gain independence no matter the costs, the United States could not fight Britain without the help of other well-established countries. One of the countries that played a key role in enabling the United States to achieve her independence was France. France contributed her troops and other machinery to fight alongside American soldiers in a bid to defeat Britain. In the end, the campaigns to gain freedom from Britain paid off as the United States eventually won the war. 3
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To commemorate the friendship that exists between the people of France and the United States, Edouard de Laboulaye, who was a French historian proposed that France comes up with a statue that will be presented to the United States as a present and appreciation for her newly found independence. 4 The main sculptor who worked on the project was Frederic Auguste Bartholdi who had built a reputation for designing and developing largescale sculptures. The target of the project was to make sure that the sculpture was ready in time for the Declaration of Independence in 1876. The project for the building of the statue of liberty was jointly executed by the people of France and the United States. The French were responsible for the building of the statue and its assembly while Americans were charged with the responsibility of building a pedestal on which the statue would stand, further signifying the friendship and the cooperation of the French and American people. Despite the financial challenges experienced during the developing of the statue, the project was finally completed and the statue shipped to the United States in many different pieces. Once in the United States, it was reassembled and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland in front of thousands of spectators.
How the Statue of Liberty Describes what Was Happening in New York at the Time of its Creation
An analysis of the icon reveals that it is important to the people of New York and the United States in general. The statute is useful in describing what was happening in the United States and New York in particular during the period of its construction and erection. 5 For most people, the statue is used to explain the closing stages of the American Revolution and the sacrifices made by the United States to achieve its independence from Britain. The American Revolution had taken a toll on the country, and the statute was used to remind the people of New York and the United States in general regarding the sacrifices that were made to enjoy the prevailing freedom and prosperity. The statue of Liberty is also useful in explaining the importance of friendship and cooperation among countries. Had the French people not intervened and provided assistance to the American people, then the war would have taken a different turn, or it would have been fought for a longer period resulting in more casualties. Furthermore, through the analysis of the statute of Liberty and its construction, one can be able to understand the political and military alignments that existed in the world at the period. During the period of the American Revolution, Britain and France were the major colonial powers and also superpowers of the world. The countries had vast resources that they could use to acquire more territories and expand their empires. Through the analysis of the statue of liberty, it is evident that Britain and France were on opposing sides, hence the support provided by France against Britain. It is clear that the statute of liberty helps in the explanation and the description of the events that occurred in the United States during the period when it was created. 6
How Time and Technology has Changed the Statute and how People perceive it
Like many other monuments, the statue of liberty has also undergone various changes over the years since it was built. Due to various environmental forces, the statue of liberty experienced wear and tear prompting numerous renovations. 7 At the beginning of the 20 th Century, the copper skin which covers the statue was oxidized as a result of the constant exposure to rain, sun, and wind thus giving the statue a distinctive green color commonly known as Verdigris. The statute had to be closed to the public for renovations in 1984, just in time for its centennial celebration. Various improvements have also been made on the statute over the years to ensure that it is preserved for the future generation. Due to the threat posed by terrorists, the security of the statute has also improved from what it was during its initial years. While visitors were able to access the statue in the past easily, the current security requirement mandates everyone to book a reservation before visiting the statue. Reservation gives security officers the time to vet all the visitors and establish whether or not they pose any threat to the existence of the statute. The statue of liberty has managed to survive the test of time and be inspirational to many generations since it was first unveiled. The statue still appeals to all Americans and the world in general due to what it stands for. 8 Through the statue, most Americans regardless of their age are reminded of the sacrifices made by their forefathers for the liberation of their country from colonial chains. The statute is also relevant to Americans because it stresses the importance of partnerships and building friendships which may come in handy during times of need. It is therefore evident that the role played by the statue has not changed and is not likely to change any time soon.
Reasons for the Popularity of the Statue
One of the most dominant features of the statue of liberty is its popularity across the globe. An image of the statue of liberty automatically brings New York or the United States in mind. The cultural and historical significance of the statute has also made it famous over the years. Most people in the United States still view it as a major landmark in New York and a part of the city’s history. There are several reasons why the statue of liberty is well known throughout the world. 9 Foremost, the statue is a visible landmark to all the ships and people headed to the Northeast part of the country. Most of the immigrants who arrived in the United States during the 20 th Century were welcomed by the statue of liberty as the first sight of New York thus making the image of the statute stick to their minds as the symbol of freedom and liberation. Additionally, the statute is popular throughout the world because it is part of the popular culture in the United States. 10 The statute has been featured in many movies and songs further increasing its popularity. The fact that American culture is dominant throughout the world has helped in making the statue even more famous outside the United States. It is also important to note that the statue of liberty is famous because it has been taught to many people in the United States and beyond as a symbol of freedom and the sacrifices made by the forefathers of the United States to create one of the most prosperous and democratic societies that the world has ever seen. The significance of the statue has been passed down from one generation to the other thus maintaining its popularity for many years. From the influence and significance of the statue of liberty, it is evident that it will continue to maintain its popularity throughout the world for many more years to come.
How the Statue Promotes the Image of New York to the World
The statue of Liberty undoubtedly plays a great role in promoting the image of New York to the world. The statue is the most iconic symbol in New York owing to its importance and significance. The fact that it represents the fighting spirit and determination of the American people makes it a positive symbol for the city. Most people from around the world troop into New York just to catch a glimpse of the iconic statue and tour it to connect to what it stands for. The association of New York to the statue of liberty also benefits the city because it acts as a tourist attraction, therefore, earning the city more revenues which can be used to improve the city and maintain its status as one of the best cities in the world. From the analysis of the significance of the statue of liberty, it is evident that it means different things to different people. While some people view it as a symbol of freedom and sacrifice, others see it as a symbol of friendship that exists between the American and French people. Other people view the statue as a mere decoration without any cultural or historical significance. The interpretation of the importance of the statute is hinged on a person’s understanding of the facts and history behind it. The people who do not know much about the statue of liberty tend to think of it as mere city decoration, but those who know what led to the creation of the statue hold it in high regards and respect due to what it stands for. 11
Controversies associated with the Statue of Liberty
The statue of liberty has stood tall for many years with little controversies that are linked to it. The significance and the role of the statue could not allow the creators to make any mistakes that would later lead to controversies. They paid attention to every detail to ensure that it appealed to all people. Despite their efforts, there were some controversies which were linked to the statue. 12 During the celebration to unveil the statue, most women’s rights groups demonstrated against the creation of a huge female figure to stand in the New York harbor and act as a symbol of liberty while most women in the United States did not have the freedom to vote. The creation of the statue, however, signified the start of the process to acquire full freedom and rights to many people in the United States including women. As years continue to go by, the statue of liberty remains tall, defiant of the forces of nature that work against it. The statute is more popular than it was before due to its strong association with the popular culture in the United States.
Conclusion
In summation, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic symbols of the United States' freedom and democracy. The idea of the statue of liberty was conceived towards the end of the American Revolution, and it was a present from the people of France to the People of the United States as a gift for their newly achieved freedom and independence from Britain. To commemorate the friendship that exists between the people of France and the United States, Edouard de Laboulaye, who was a French historian proposed that France comes up with a statue that will be presented to the United States as a present and appreciation for her newly found independence. For most people, the statute is used to explain the closing stages of the American Revolution and the sacrifices made by the United States to achieve their independence from Britain. The American Revolution had taken a toll on the country, and the statute was used to remind the people of New York and the United States in general regarding the sacrifices that were made to enjoy the prevailing freedom and prosperity. The statue of liberty is popular throughout the world mainly because it is a visible landmark to all the ships and people headed to the Northeast part of the country. Most of the immigrants who arrived in the United States during the 20 th Century were welcomed by the statue of liberty as the first sight of New York thus making the image of the statute stick to their minds as the symbol of freedom and liberation. It is important that conservation efforts are enhanced so that the country can preserve the statue for many generations to come.
Bibliography
Coughlin, Dan. "Twelve Lessons from Six Days in New York City." Effective Executive 20, no. 3 (2017): 71-73.
Keeling, David J. "Iconic Landscapes: The Lyrical Links of Songs and Cities." Focus on Geography 54, no 4 (2011): 113-125,161. doi:10.1111/j.1949-8535.2011.00033.x
Peic, Goran and Dan Reiter. "Foreign-Imposed Regime Change, State Power and Civil War Onset, 1920-2004." British Journal of Political Science 41, no. 3 (2010): 453-475. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007123410000426.
Raguram, Rahul, Changchang Wu, Jan-Michael Frahm, and Svetlana Lazebnik. "Modeling and Recognition of Landmark Image Collections using Iconic Scene Graphs." International Journal of Computer Vision 95, no. 3 (2011): 213-239. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11263-011-0445-z.
“ Statue of Liberty,” History.com. Last modified August 21, 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/statue-of-liberty
“ Statue of Liberty.” Encyclopedia Britannica . https://www.britannica.com/topic/Statue-of-Liberty
1 Peic, Goran and Dan Reiter. "Foreign-Imposed Regime Change, State Power and Civil War Onset, 1920- 2004." British Journal of Political Science , 41, no. 3 (2010): 461
2 Ibid., 465
3 Keeling, David J. 2011. "Iconic Landscapes: The Lyrical Links of Songs and Cities." Focus on Geography 54, no. 4 (2011): 117
4 Keeling. "Iconic Landscapes: The Lyrical Links of Songs and Cities." 123
5 Raguram, Rahul, Changchang Wu, Jan-Michael Frahm, and Svetlana Lazebnik. 2011. "Modeling and Recognition of Landmark Image Collections using Iconic Scene Graphs." International Journal of Computer Vision 95, no. 3 (2011): 230
6 “Statue of Liberty,” History.com. Last modified August 21, 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/statue-of-liberty
7 Ibid
8 Coughlin, Dan. "Twelve Lessons from Six Days in New York City." Effective Executive 20, no. 3 (2017): 71
9 Coughlin. "Twelve Lessons from Six Days in New York City."72
10 Ibid., 73
11 “Statue of Liberty.” Encyclopedia Britannica . https://www.britannica.com/topic/Statue-of-Liberty
12 Ibid
