Students will analyze historic quotes to determine whether the speakers were for or against the Statue of Liberty’s arrival. Students will then roleplay as those speakers to debate over whether or not to accept the statue. Background About 150 years earlier, politicians and the public both debated on whether the United States should accept the Statue of Liberty. In Debating Liberty , students will play the role of a citizen weighing the benefits/drawbacks of receiving the soon-to-arrive statue. Preparation Prior to the lesson, pull up an image of the Statue of Liberty on a Smartboard or write Duration: 30 Minutes.