The Acadians were forcibly deported by the British between 1755 and 1764 during the Seven Years' War, a period known as the Grand Dérangement (Great Upheaval). Over 10,000–18,000 Acadians were removed from their maritime homes because they refused to take an unqualified oath of allegiance to Britain, scattering them across the Thirteen Colonies, Britain, France, and eventually Louisiana, where many became Cajuns. Thousands died from disease, shipwreck, and starvation during this forced exile.
Key Aspects of the Acadian Deportation:
- The Cause: British officials in Nova Scotia, led by Governor Charles Lawrence, feared the neutral French-speaking Catholic population would support France, and coveted their fertile farmlands.
- The Process: Beginning in 1755, soldiers burned homes, farms, and churches, separating families and forcing them onto ships.
- Destinations:
- Thirteen Colonies: Many were sent to the Atlantic coast, where they faced28 persecution.
- France & Britain: Thousands were sent to Europe.
- Louisiana: Many later migrated to Louisiana, evolving into the Cajun culture.
- Return: After 1764, many surviving Acadians returned to the Maritime provinces, particularly New Brunswick, where their descendants live today.
