The Great Expulsion of 1755
© Florence Cardinal
In 1755, almost 10,000 French settlers were expelled from the Acadia area of Canada because they refused to take an oath of allegiance to the British government.
The New World was rapidly becoming The place to be. This was especially true for the poor, beleaguered residents of France who were much suppressed by the French monarchy. They fled to Canada and settled in the Acadian region (now Nova Scotia and parts of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick).
This area, it seems, had been in conflict from the day it was born, passing back and forth between France and England. Here the French catholic immigrants settled and, despite a lack of farming experience, flourished. The soil was rich, the summers warm, and crops grew. These people had a distinct culture and language.
When the area again came under British rule, the government looked closely at these people. They were of French descent and Catholic. Where would their allegiance lie in times of war? It was decided to demand an oath of allegiance to Britain.
The Acadians objected and the government, at that time, didn't enforce it, and for some time the issue was forgotten, at least by the French.
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
Then, in 1755, Britain again looked to Acadia. The French population, with no oath of allegiance, had rapidly expanded and, to make matters worse, the Native population, especially the Huron, sided with the French. Something had to be done.
Again, the government demanded that the oath of allegiance be signed by the French settlers, and this time the law had grown teeth. Those who did not sign would be expelled from the country.
Many, happy with their lives and the good living they had in the New World, did sign the oath hoping that there would never be a reason it would be in effect. Others fled to other parts of Canada.
EXPULSION
For those who stubbornly refused to sign, expulsion was the answer. They were loaded onto ships and sailed out of the country. This was a time of real hardship. Families were split up, possessions had to be left behind, and, worst of all, they were sailing off to unfamiliar territory. What would await them there?
Some returned to France. Many settled in the New England States. A few, for some strange reason, sailed to England. Homes and crops left behind were burned to the ground. This was to discourage any hopes the people might have of returning. There was nothing left to return to.
THE CAJUNS
About 300 Acadians settled in Louisiana which already had a large French population. Their descendants are there today and we know them as Cajuns. Again, they have their own distinct society and language and their cooking is a matter of Louisiana pride.