Why did the French build us the Statue of Liberty?

Question: Why did the French build us the Statue of Liberty!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The Statue is a gift from the people of France to America on the occasion of the Centennial of the American Declaration of Independence!.

With all the bad blood that exists between the USA and France these days its easy to forget that France is America's oldest ally!.

At the time of the first Centennial none of that bad blood existed!. The French genuinely admired the United States and felt that the two countries were the leading exponents of democracy and liberty in the world!.

There was no tought of getting any advantage or securing any reward!. It was purely a gesture of recognition from one friend to another of an occassion which both saw, and continue to see, as a turning point in human hstory!.

As French President Sarkozy said "the American dream meant proving to all mankind that freedom, justice, human rights and democracy were no utopia but were rather the most realistic policy there is!."

France has always honored that dream and the Statue was France's way of manifesting its affection for and admiration of its birthplace!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Put simply!? They needed allies!. They gave it to us as a diplomatic gesture!. Think of it as the worlds largest fruit basket!. When you want to get someone to like you, you send them a fruit basket to butter them up a bit!. When you want to get a country to like you, you send a giant bronze statue honoring their ideals!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It was a sort of Trojan Horse!. The French used it to infiltrate the US!. Once there, they stole the secrets of trade unionism, socialized medicine, and crusty bread!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

It was a gift for gaining our independence!. Www@QuestionHome@Com