Acadian Expulsion
The Acadian Expulsion, also known as the Great Upheaval or "le grand dérangement", refers to the forced removal of the Acadian people from the North American region historically known as Acadia, which included the modern Canadian Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, along with the U.S. state of Maine.
This event was a defining moment in Acadian history. The expulsion was carried out by the British between 1755 and 1764. The Governor of Nova Scotia, Charles Lawrence, ordered Acadians to swear allegiance to Britain or face imprisonment or deportation. The Acadians, who were French settlers, had been living in the region since the first decade of the 17th century. However, the British, who took over Acadia in 1713, did not trust the Acadians and feared they might side with France in the ongoing conflicts between the two European powers
The expulsion process was brutal and resulted in significant loss of life. Thousands of Acadians died in the expulsions, mainly from diseases and drowning when ships were lost. The Acadians were dispersed among various colonies on the Atlantic coast, and many were sent to France, Britain, and the Caribbean. Many families were separated during this period and never reunited. Sadly, many of our ancestors were caught up in these events.
| Thumb | Description | Linked to |