28th July 1755: Expulsion of the Acadians agreed by British Lieutenant Governor Charles Lawrence and the Nova Scotia Council

Scott Allsop (0:00)

On the 28th of July 1755, British Lieutenant Governor Charles Lawrence and the Nova Scotia Council decided to deport the Acadians. Welcome to HistoryPod.

The Acadians were descendants of French settlers who had established communities in what became Nova Scotia during the 17th century. Following Britain's acquisition of Acadia under the Treaty of Utrecht, the Acadians became British subjects, but generally sought to remain politically neutral in conflict between the two empires. Although British authorities repeatedly required them to swear an unconditional oath of allegiance, many Acadians resisted, fearing that they might be compelled to fight against France, or indigenous allies with whom they had long-standing relationships.

By 1755, tensions had increased with the outbreak of the French and Indian War, and British officials regarded the Acadian population as a security risk. This fear was exacerbated after the capture of Fort Beaux-Azur that revealed that some Acadians had assisted French forces. Consequently, on the 28th of July, Lieutenant Governor Charles Lawrence and his council resolved that the Acadians should be removed and dispersed among Britain's North American colonies. The following months saw British troops gather Acadian men in churches and public buildings before announcing the deportation orders. Families were separated, homes and farms confiscated, and thousands of people transported by ship to destinations including the 13 colonies, Britain and France. Many died from disease, overcrowding or shipwreck during the removals, while others later found refuge in places such as Louisiana, where their descendants became known as Cajuns. Although some Acadians eventually returned to the region after the conflict, the expulsion of the Acadians remains a significant episode in Canadian history.