What do the shackles at Lady Liberty's feet represent?

Answer 1

Because she is showing her freedom from the chains of tyranny America had broken free from the Totalitarian rule of England and all who came to her shores were more than likely those who had escaped great tribulation.

An alternate answer: To understand the significance of the broken shackle, it is helpful to know a bit more about the history of the statue. Despite popular belief, the statue was not originally designed as a beacon of hope to immigrants. This meaning was not attached to the statue until the early 1900s. The idea for the Statue of Liberty was attributed to French historian, Edouard Rene de Laboulaye, who was head of the French anti-slavery society. Leboulaye devoted much of his life to the abolishment of slavery and supported the Union cause during America's Civil War. It was during the wake of the Civil War and Lincoln's assassination that the idea was conceived to create a statue to personify universal liberty and freedom. Among the important symbolism contained in the finished version of the statue is the broken shackle and chain at her left foot, through which France paid homage to Lincoln's legacy and the abolishment of slavery in America.

Interestingly, in 1865, before the Statue of Liberty was even a twinkling in Laboulaye's eye, the citizens of France gave a gift to Lincoln's widow -- the Lincoln Mourning Medal -- which contained the words: Lincoln, honest man, abolished slavery, re-established the Union, saved the Republic, without veiling the statue of liberty. He was assassinated the 14th of April, 1865.

To update - The top is false. The reference to the shackles being broken for America's break on tyranny is disgustingly wrong. The Statue of Liberty was given to us as a second choice, it was being built and was not intended to be laid to rest in our harbors. It was made to be shown in Egypt, But Egypt had no money for it so it was given to us - Drago

Answer 2

The chain was part of the original design of the Statue of Liberty. The French sculptor Aguste' Bartholdi gifted the statue to America because slavery in the US had been abolished. Once white Americans realized it was a black woman they told Aguste Bartholdi to start again she originally had broken chains are her arms and feet. They changed the face and arms of the statue but as you can see the chains on her feet still remain and then America had to come up with yet another lie which they do oh so well.

Answer 3

Freedom from the chains of tyranny, archaic and useless traditions, religious persecution, limited opportunities.

Answer 4

the end of slavery

Answer 5

SLAVERY