From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishthe shackles of somethingthe shackles of somethingliteraryTIE the limits put on your freedom and happiness by something, especially a particular form of government – used to show disapproval They finally managed to throw off the shackles of communism. → shackle
Examples from the Corpus
the shackles of something• We like the sight of them taking advantage of a new-era spirit by loosening the shackles of third world debt.• And to Return, free of the shackles of human physical embodiment.• I had always enjoyed being in situations where I was free of the shackles of contrived good looks. 