Between 1755 and 1764, the Acadian people were forcibly removed from present day Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island by the British. Most of the early exiles were transported to the then thirteen colonies. Many of those eventually made their way to Louisiana. Now, more than 250 years later, their descendents are facing another upheaval; only this time, the loss of their homeland and culture is the result of the unforeseen and unintentional consequences of man’s attempt to control Mother Nature.
The French first began settling the eastern portion of present-day Canada in 1604. The area, then called Acadia, or “Acadie” in French, was to become Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is believed that most of the settlers came from the Poitou region in southwest France. The animosity between the French and English affected the development of the area and would eventually affect the French settlers known as Acadians. Between 1613 and 1713, control of the region bounced between the French and the English. The region did not attract a lot more French settlers until the mid 1630’s. (Landry)
In 1713, the area of “Ancient Acadia” was back in the hands of the English. The problem was that the French and English did not agree exactly what that area was. The Treaty of Utrecht called for the Acadians to leave the area, but the Acadians did not want to move to the areas the French were then developing. The British were not anxious for the Acadians to leave at that time either because the Acadians, who were farmers and trappers by trade, provided the food for the British officials in the area. Also, the British were afraid that the Acadians would move to the new French settlements in places like Ȋle Royale (Cape Breton Island), increasing the population there. Although England usually required “conquered subjects,” like the Acadians, to take a pledge of total loyalty to the British crown, the officials in Canada allowed the Acadians to get away with just an oath of neutrality in 1730. Unfortunately, this peace would not last. (Landry, Marsh).
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France built a fort in Louisbourg, which was on the Ȋle Royale (Cape Breton Island). The English responded by building a naval base in nearby Halifax in 1749. This arms race continued, seeing each side building more military bases within the next two years. The hostilities between England and France came to a head in 1754, when the Seven Years’ War began (also known as the French and Indian War). (Marsh)
While previous governors were willing to accept the Acadians’ claim of neutrality in the back and forth between France and England, Governor Charles Lawrence demanded an unqualified oath of allegiance to Britain in July 1755. The Acadians refused. So, in September, 1755, all men and boys over the age of 10 were ordered to gather in the Grand-Pré Church for an important message. The decree from the Governor was read to those gathered and stated in part: “That your Land & Tennements, Cattle of all Kinds and Livestocks of all Sorts are forfeited to the Crown with all other your effects Savings your money and Household Goods, and you yourselves to be removed from this Province.”
