Édouard de Laboulaye envisioned a monument to the United States as a celebration of freedom and democracy. Born out of admiration for American ideals, the proposal aimed to inspire a return to democracy in France and strengthen the bonds between the two nations.
Édouard de Laboulaye sought to create a monument to the United States as a symbolic gesture to celebrate and reinforce the ideals of freedom and democracy. Born in 1811 in Paris, France, de Laboulaye was a prominent political thinker, an expert on the U.S. Constitution, and a fervent abolitionist who supported President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. He passionately believed in the "common law of free peoples," asserting that every individual possessed an inherent, sacred right to freedom.
In 1865, after the Union victory in the Civil War and the passage of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery in the United States, de Laboulaye saw an opportunity to honor the U.S. for its commitment to liberty and justice. He believed that showcasing the American model of democracy could inspire and advocate for the return of democracy in France. As the president of the French Anti-Slavery Society, he viewed the abolition of slavery as a significant milestone, demonstrating that justice and liberty for all were attainable.
Teaming up with sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, de Laboulaye turned his proposal into reality, announcing the creation of a monument in September 1875. The statue, named "Liberty Enlightening the World," was to be financed by the French people, symbolizing their support for American ideals, while the pedestal's funding was expected from the American people. Ultimately, de Laboulaye's vision embodied a transatlantic alliance promoting freedom and democracy.