Acadians and the Great Deportation

From 1700 to -1740, the Acadians pretty much ignored changes taking place in North America while the tensions were increasing between the French and the English as they battled for control of the continent. Even after the British conquest of Nova Scotia in 1710, the Acadians who had managed to remain neutral, pretty much went on with life as usual and without an interruption from the life they knew. From 1700 to -1740, the Acadians pretty much ignored changes taking place in North America while the tensions were increasing between the French and the English as they battled for control of the continent. Even after the British conquest of Nova Scotia in 1710, the Acadians who had managed to remain neutral, pretty much went on with life as usual and without an interruption from the life they knew.

By 1730, the majority of Acadians had signed an oath swearing allegiance to the British Crown, but they insisted they would not fight either the French or First Nations. By 1730, the majority of Acadians had signed an oath swearing allegiance to the British Crown, but they insisted they would not fight either the French or First Nations.

Because of its location, the English wanted Nova Scotia to be theirs. From here, the Acadians could easily connect with their French counterparts in Québec and the rich fishing banks were easily accessible. The Governor of Massachusetts, William Shirley, knew that this area was the only direct link to Québec by sea and it would also be the link to take the English ships from Massachusetts to the Louisbourg Fortress on Ile Royale/Cape Breton Island. Because of its location, the English wanted Nova Scotia to be theirs. From here, the Acadians could easily connect with their French counterparts in Québec and the rich fishing banks were easily accessible. The Governor of Massachusetts, William Shirley, knew that this area was the only direct link to Québec by sea and it would also be the link to take the English ships from Massachusetts to the Louisbourg Fortress on Ile Royale/Cape Breton Island.

In 1755, Nova Scotia’s British Governor Charles Lawrence gave the Acadians one last opportunity to swear allegiance to the British Crown. The Acadians again refused, believing that this demand was no different than ones made over the past few decades. In 1755, Nova Scotia’s British Governor Charles Lawrence gave the Acadians one last opportunity to swear allegiance to the British Crown. The Acadians again refused, believing that this demand was no different than ones made over the past few decades.

The British response was swift and unforgiving. Before 1755 was over, an estimated 6,000 Acadians - approximately three-quarters of their total population - were rounded up as prisoners and forced onto ships bound for the British American colonies, Europe, and British prisons. Nearly half would die en route. By 1763, over 10,000 Acadians had been deported from the Maritimes. The largest single group was returned to France where they were poorly treated and ostracized by French society. The British response was swift and unforgiving. Before 1755 was over, an estimated 6,000 Acadians - approximately three-quarters of their total population - were rounded up as prisoners and forced onto ships bound for the British American colonies, Europe, and British prisons. Nearly half would die en route. By 1763, over 10,000 Acadians had been deported from the Maritimes. The largest single group was returned to France where they were poorly treated and ostracized by French society.

Many Acadians moved to down the North American east coast, landing temporarily in New England, the Carolinas and other ports, with a large number eventually settling in Louisiana, then controlled by Spain. Spanish authorities welcomed the Catholic Acadians as settlers, first in areas along the Mississippi River, then later in other areas. During the 19th century, as Acadians reestablished their culture, "Acadian" was known locally as "Cajun” for short. Many Acadians moved to down the North American east coast, landing temporarily in New England, the Carolinas and other ports, with a large number eventually settling in Louisiana, then controlled by Spain. Spanish authorities welcomed the Catholic Acadians as settlers, first in areas along the Mississippi River, then later in other areas. During the 19th century, as Acadians reestablished their culture, "Acadian" was known locally as "Cajun” for short.

Francois Cyr of Beaubassin in Acadia was just two years old in 1755 when his family was marched aboard the ship Jolly Phillip and taken to Georgia in the Thirteen Colonies. In a few years, Francois’s family made its way to Boston and later to the French islands of St.Pierre and Miquelon. When the British attacked St.Pierre in 1778, 25 year old Francois was exiled to France. Francois Cyr of Beaubassin in Acadia was just two years old in 1755 when his family was marched aboard the ship Jolly Phillip and taken to Georgia in the Thirteen Colonies. In a few years, Francois’s family made its way to Boston and later to the French islands of St.Pierre and Miquelon. When the British attacked St.Pierre in 1778, 25 year old Francois was exiled to France.

While in France, Francois married another Acadian refugee, Rosalie Boudreau. Then France recovered St.Pierre, and the Cyrs returned to the island together. While in France, Francois married another Acadian refugee, Rosalie Boudreau. Then France recovered St.Pierre, and the Cyrs returned to the island together. The Cyrs moved to the Gulf of St. Lawrence area, and finally, in the 1790s, they joined other Acadians on the Gaspe Peninsula, and there they stayed. They had been refugees for almost 40 years. The Cyrs moved to the Gulf of St. Lawrence area, and finally, in the 1790s, they joined other Acadians on the Gaspe Peninsula, and there they stayed. They had been refugees for almost 40 years.

Many Acadians had stories like those of Francois and Rosalie. The British had taken the old Acadia around the diked land of the Bay of Fundy, but the people gradually built a new Acadia on the coasts and islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There were about Acadians when the British tried to get rid of them in today there are nearly half a million in Atlantic Canada. Many Acadians had stories like those of Francois and Rosalie. The British had taken the old Acadia around the diked land of the Bay of Fundy, but the people gradually built a new Acadia on the coasts and islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There were about Acadians when the British tried to get rid of them in today there are nearly half a million in Atlantic Canada. The Story oc Canada, page 70.

The Acadian flag was adopted in It shows the colours of France, and the star Stella Maris