by C L Smith

Created on: July 03, 2009   Last Updated: January 18, 2012

Introduction

1746 to 1756 marks an era of exile and proscription for the Acadian people. However, it is also an era that was dominated by a major world war. Imperial rivalry between England and France brought about much suffering and hardship in the Acadian community which culminated in the removal by the British of the Acadian population from their homes in Nova Scotia to various locations around the world. This deportation of the Acadians from Canada is referred to as Le Grand Derangement. This period in Canadian history is also referred to as 'the great upheaval', 'the great expulsion', and the 'Acadian expulsion'.

Acadian Settlements

The Acadians were residents of Nova Scotia since the founding of Port-Royal in 1604. Although subjects of the French crown, the Acadian settlements were largely ignored by France. As a result, the Acadians developed a strong sense of independence. Their sense of self-determination was enhanced by their relationship to the Mi-kmaq population in the area. This sense of independence of the Acadian people which did not alter when sovereignty over their land passed to the British in 1713 came to be one element of their ultimate downfall.

In 1755, Acadian settlements were located in Annapolis Royale, Cape Sable, La Heve, Minas Basin, and Chignecto Isthmus. The majority of the population resided in the area between the Minas Basin and Memramkook, the Petitcodia, and the Shepody valleys.

The Acadian settlements were considered to be one of the most important Anglo-French claims in North America during the 17thcentury due to the fact that the Acadian colonies formed part of the border between the frontiers claimed by both the French and the British. As a result, The Acadian people saw frequent skirmishes between the two empires which made the development of their settlements even more difficult. After 1744, the war between the empires encompassed both the heartlands and the peripheries of their communities.

The Missaquash River served as one boundary between the French and English territories. However, the Acadian people ignored such boundaries in the development of their settlements. They continued to ignore the boundaries when their communities became the actual battlegrounds of the two empires. The Acadian people seemed oblivious to the fact that the British, French, and the governments of New England and New France considered the Acadian lands to be among those under dispute. Both Britain and France seemed to legitimately control

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