The Acadians: Early French Settlers

The Acadians were a group of French settlers who lived in Canada during the seventeenth century. They established a colony on North America’s Atlantic coast, in Canada and the state of Maine. Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer who later founded Quebec, visited the Acadian colony in 1604, as did French explorer Pierre de Gua.

Acadians in the French and Indian War

The Acadian colony attained historical prominence during the French and Indian War, a conflict between France and England in the middle part of the 18th century. As part of the Treaty of Utrecht, signed between Britain and Spain, the Acadian lands came under possession of Great Britain. However, the Acadians were allowed to keep their land as long as they swore allegiance to the British crown. The Acadians were reluctant to accept that condition for two main reasons. First, the Acadians’ primary religion was Roman Catholic, while the British were Protestant. Second, the Acadians feared that accepting British rule would leave them vulnerable to attack from the Mi’kmaq, a native tribe living nearby that deeply disliked the British. Due to this, the Acadians chose to remain neutral.

Fighting Against the British

During the French and Indian War, the Acadians began sending supplies to the French fortresses and fought together with the Mi’kmaq tribes against the British. Military officer Charles Lawrence was angered by the Acadians’ behavior and set into motion what is known today as The Great Upheaval. On Lawrence’s orders, over eleven thousand Acadians were forcibly removed from their homes and colony. The first wave of removals sent the Acadians to rural parts of Connecticut and New York; the second forced them to France, Britain, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Of the fourteen thousand Acadians residing in the colony, only 2,600 were able to escape capture and removal by the British.

Forced Away From Their Lands

The Acadians began forming their own French-speaking colonies across the world; one group settled in southern Louisiana and are known today as the Cajuns. After the end of the war and the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Britain took control of Canada, and the Acadians ceased to exist as a political group. Acadians were allowed to return to their home if they signed allegiance to Britain; some groups traveled to Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II issued a royal proclamation and formal apology to the Acadian people for their forced displacement.

Most Well-Known Quote

“Je me souviens” (“I remember”) — often associated with Acadian and Quebecois heritage, symbolizing memory of their history and struggles.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the Acadians refuse to swear allegiance to the British crown after the Treaty of Utrecht?
2. How did religion and alliances with the Mi’kmaq shape the Acadians’ political choices?
3. What was the impact of The Great Upheaval on Acadian culture and identity?
4. Why do you think Queen Elizabeth II issued an apology in 2003, centuries after the events?

Glossary

• Acadians – French settlers in Canada during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Mi’kmaq – A Native American tribe in the Atlantic region of Canada.
• Treaty of Utrecht – A 1713 treaty that ended the War of the Spanish Succession and transferred Acadian land to Britain.
• The Great Upheaval – The forced removal of Acadians from their homeland by the British in the mid-18th century.
• Cajuns – Descendants of Acadians who settled in Louisiana after being expelled from Canada.

Five Interesting Facts

1. The Acadians were among the first European settlers in northeastern North America.
2. Over 11,000 Acadians were deported during The Great Upheaval, making it one of the largest forced migrations in North American history.
3. The Cajun culture in Louisiana, famous for its music and food, traces directly back to Acadian settlers.
4. Only 2,600 Acadians managed to avoid capture and forced relocation by the British.
5. Queen Elizabeth II formally apologized to the Acadians in 2003, recognizing their suffering.

Timeline of Important Events

1. 1604 – Samuel de Champlain and Pierre de Gua visit the Acadian colony.
2. 1713 – Treaty of Utrecht transfers Acadian lands to Great Britain.
3. 1713–1750s – Acadians remain neutral, refusing to swear loyalty to the British crown.
4. 1754 – French and Indian War begins.
5. 1755 – Charles Lawrence orders the deportation of Acadians (The Great Upheaval).
6. 1755–1763 – Over 11,000 Acadians are forcibly removed.
7. 1763 – Treaty of Paris gives Britain control of Canada.
8. 1760s – Some Acadians return to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick after pledging allegiance to Britain.
9. 1770s – Groups of Acadians settle in Louisiana, becoming the Cajuns.
10. 2003 – Queen Elizabeth II issues a royal proclamation apologizing for the expulsion.