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French presence established in the New World
Before Acadie was founded, European traders and fishermen had already been visitors to these shores. A French presence was finally established in the New World in 1604, when in the early spring, a contingent of explorers, businessmen, and soon-to-be famous figures like Samuel de Champlain, Sieur de Poutrincourt, and Du Pont Gravé, left Le Havre, France, to assert their King’s claim to “ l'Acadie.” By the end of that summer they had explored what is today peninsular Nova Scotia, from LaHave to th -
Champlain moves to Port Royal
In August 1605 Champlain moved to Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal), a community that was to become Acadia’s major town. In only a few years Acadian settlements spread throughout the Atlantic region. From 1632 until 1653 the core group of settlers arrived. Ownership of the Acadian colonies was tossed back and forth -
Core group of settlers arrive
From 1632 until 1653 the core group of settlers arrived. Ownership of the Acadian colonies was tossed back and forth between the French and the English. -
French settlement ceases
Under English rule French settlement ceased between 1654 and 1670, and then under French rule settlements resumed. War of Spanish Succession ends The Treaty of Utrecht ended the War of Spanish Succession in 1713, making the Acadians in Nova Scotia per -
First Acadian census
The first Acadian Census took place in Port Royal in 1671. One of the first in Canada, the total count was 392 people, 482 cattle, and 524 sheep! In the 1680s and 1690s many people left Port Royal and settled other areas. -
War of Spanish Succession ends
The Treaty of Utrecht ended the War of Spanish Succession in 1713, making the Acadians in Nova Scotia permanent British subjects, while Île Royale (Cape Breton) and Île Saint-Jean (Prince Edward Island) remained French. -
Work begins on Fortress of Louisbourg
In 1719 work began on Fortress Louisbourg to protect France’s interests. It was to become one of the busiest ports on the Atlantic coast. -
Many Acadians sign Oath of Allegiance with some exceptions
By 1730, the majority of Acadians had signed an oath swearing allegiance to the British Crown, but they insisted they would not fight either the French or the native Indians. -
Louisbourg falls to British
In 1745 Louisbourg fell to British forces from New England. -
Population reaches 10,000
By 1750 there were 10,000 Acadians in Nova Scotia. -
beginning of the French and Indian War
At the beginning of the French and Indian War of 1754, the British government demanded that Acadians take an oath of allegiance to the Crown that included fighting against the French. Most of them refused. -
Decision made to begin expulsion
Pressure from the English was strong. British Governor Charles Lawrence and the Nova Scotia Council decided on July 28, 1755 to deport the Acadians. Although Grand Pré to this day is the most well known symbol of the expulsion, it actually began at Fort Beauséjour on August 11. About 6,000 Acadians were forcibly removed from their colonies. The British military ordered the Acadians' communities to be destroyed and homes and barns were burned down.
