Acadians and the Acadians and the Great Deportation Great Deportation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

While in France, Francois married another While in France, Francois married another Acadian refugee, Rosalie Boudreau. Then Acadian refugee, Rosalie Boudreau. Then France recovered St.Pierre, and the Cyrs France recovered St.Pierre, and the Cyrs returned to the island together.returned to the island together.

The Cyrs moved to the Gulf of St. The Cyrs moved to the Gulf of St. Lawrence area, and finally, in the 1790s, Lawrence area, and finally, in the 1790s, they joined other Acadians on the Gaspe they joined other Acadians on the Gaspe Peninsula, and there they stayed. They Peninsula, and there they stayed. They had been refugees for almost 40 years.had been refugees for almost 40 years.

Many Acadians had stories like those of Many Acadians had stories like those of Francois and Rosalie. The British had taken Francois and Rosalie. The British had taken the old Acadia around the diked land of the the old Acadia around the diked land of the Bay of Fundy, but the people gradually built Bay of Fundy, but the people gradually built a new Acadia on the coasts and islands of a new Acadia on the coasts and islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There were about the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There were about 13 000 Acadians when the British tried to 13 000 Acadians when the British tried to get rid of them in 1755. today there are get rid of them in 1755. today there are nearly half a million in Atlantic Canada. nearly half a million in Atlantic Canada.

The Story oc Canada, page 70.The Story oc Canada, page 70.

The Acadian flag was adopted in 1884. It shows the colours of The Acadian flag was adopted in 1884. It shows the colours of France, and the star Stella Maris France, and the star Stella Maris