The Expulsion of the Acadians

Tension Between France and Britain

• France and Britain both aimed to colonize North America rapidly.
• Both countries established colonies and expanded their territory.
• The rivalry between them intensified due to battles worldwide.
• Both had colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
• They competed for global dominance.

The Loss of Acadia

• Acadia (present-day New Brunswick, PEI, and Quebec) was France's second colony in North America, but not as defended as New France.
• In 1694, the British attacked Acadia from Boston, New England, gaining control but returning it to France in the Peace Treaty of 1697.

War of Spanish Succession

• From 1702 to 1713, Britain seized control of Acadia and the Caribbean while Spain and France were at war.
• In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht was negotiated between France and Britain.
• Each side agreed to return some captured colonies.
• Britain offered either the Caribbean islands or Acadia back to France.
• France chose the Caribbean islands for their valuable sugar cane production.
• The Treaty of Utrecht officially gave Acadia to the British.

The Expulsion of the Acadians

• Although Britain owned Acadia, it was inhabited by French Acadians.
• The British worried about a potential Acadian revolt.
• The British wanted to force the Acadians to take an oath of allegiance to Britain.
• The Acadians, being French Catholics, declined due to religious differences with the British Protestants.
• Life became hostile as British soldiers harassed the French population.
• By 1755, the British decided to expel the Acadians.
• About 10,000 French Acadians were expelled from the colony.
• Many went to the French colony of Louisiana.