The Statue of Liberty wasn’t just a friendly gift, it was also a tribute to the end of US slavery. A French abolitionist suggested the monument due to his dreams being realized in the US, and he hoped it would inspire his people to stand against their repressive monarchy. To honor the freed slaves, a broken chain was to be placed in Lady Liberty’s hand, but the artist did not want to further divide America after the war, so he put it at her feet instead. Source Source 2
Bartholdi’s design patent