The Intriguing Tale of the Statue of Liberty: From the Ottoman Empire to America

How Diplomacy, the Suez Canal, and Shifting Alliances Gave Birth to an Icon

The Statue of Liberty, one of America’s iconic landmarks, has a history that stretches back to the Ottoman Empire, a tale brimming with diplomacy, global politics, and unexpected twists.

1. The Unlikely Origins: Ottoman Support for the Suez Canal

In the mid-19th century, Egypt, then a part of the Ottoman Empire, was governed by valis bearing the honorary title of Hıdiv. While Egypt enjoyed internal autonomy, international agreements still required approval from the Ottoman Sultan. In 1854, Said Pasha, the Vali of Egypt, commissioned French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps to design the Suez Canal, a project of monumental importance to the French and a potential threat to British naval supremacy. The British government applied relentless pressure on the Ottoman Empire to prevent the signing of this agreement.

2. The Reversal of Fortune: The Role of Ismail Pasha

However, the death of Said Pasha in 1863 and the ascension of Ismail Pasha, a supporter of British interests, led to a lack of progress on the canal project. Ismail Pasha failed to grasp the significance of the canal for Egypt. Consequently, the French government intensified its efforts to sway the Ottoman Empire’s stance.

3. Sultan Abdulaziz’s Investment in the Canal

It was under Sultan Abdulaziz’s reign that the Suez Canal project gained momentum. Recognizing the canal’s importance to Egypt, he approved the project and invested in its shares. Yet, hidden within the agreement was an intriguing provision: the construction of a statue at the Mediterranean entrance of the canal. A substantial portion of the funds for this statue was provided by Sultan Abdulaziz, and the task of creating it was assigned to French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.

4. The Creation and Transformation of the Statue

Over three years, Bartholdi diligently sculpted the statue, which was intended to be shipped to Egypt in sections. However, Ismail Pasha, the Egyptian ruler at the time, grew concerned that such a statue might be misunderstood in a predominantly Muslim society, and the statue languished in storage.

5. A Symbol of Franco-American Friendship

Concurrently, relations between the United States and France were warming, leading to a unique opportunity. France decided to gift the United States a symbol of their friendship, and Bartholdi was again entrusted with the task. The statue underwent modifications, and in 1886, it was erected on a small island in New York Harbor. The unveiling was presided over by none other than Bartholdi himself and Ferdinand de Lesseps, the engineer behind the Suez Canal.

In the end, a statue initially intended for the entrance of the Suez Canal found a new home on American soil, becoming a symbol of freedom and democracy recognized the world over. This remarkable journey from the Ottoman Empire to the United States is a testament to the unpredictable twists of history and the enduring power of international diplomacy. The Statue of Liberty stands as a reminder of the bonds formed through shared ideals and the unending pursuit of liberty and justice.