Recently, I’ve been reading about and researching Acadian history in order to put together some pre-written content in relation to them. What happened to those people is terrible!
And – in my opinion – it’s something that should be more widely known. A story that we should not ever forget.
It can be argued that since it took place a long time ago it’s OK to just forget and move on. I disagree.
In fact, I think that there are lessons to learn from their experience. Lessons that can be applied today.
Don’t know about the Acadians and what happened to them? Well, here’s a quick look…
Introduction
In 1755, British soldiers herded over 3,000 Acadians—peaceful French settlers—into boats, burning their farms and scattering them across the Atlantic.
Their crime? Refusing to pledge absolute loyalty to colonial Britain.
The story is a stark warning about power, trust, and survival—one with striking parallels to today’s struggles.
Historical Context
Who were the Acadians?
The Acadians thrived in Acadia (modern-day Maritime Canada and parts of Maine) mostly as farmers, using dykes to cultivate tidal marshes, and also as traders, fishermen and lumbermen.
Their neutrality policy, forged with Indigenous allies, let them avoid colonial wars—until it became their downfall.
British Agendas
By the 1750s, Britain sought dominance in North America. Viewing Acadians as a “fifth column” and coveting their fertile land, Governor Charles Lawrence orchestrated their deportation as “efficient colonial policy.”
The Deportation
From 1755–1764, over 10,000 Acadians were exiled. Families were torn apart; thousands died from disease, shipwrecks, or British violence in places like Île Saint-Jean (P.E.I.).
Why the Acadians Failed
Overestimating Neutrality:
- British redefined their neutrality as “disloyalty.”
Fragmented Leadership:
- Decentralized communities lacked unified defence.
Trusting Assurances:
- Legal agreements like the 1749 Oath were weaponized.
Underestimating Brutality:
- The British enacted ethnic cleansing, burning villages and killing resisters.
Lessons for Today
Neutrality Isn’t Enough
Then
- Acadians’ neutrality was weaponized.
Now
- “Neutral” policies (e.g., algorithmic bias, “colourblind” laws) often entrench inequity.
Vigilance Over Blind Trust
Then
- Acadians trusted British promises.
Now
- Question institutions—corporate data policies and surveillance states exploit blind trust.
Cultural Resilience Saves Identity
Then
- Acadians, for example, rebuilt as Cajuns via oral histories and music.
Now
- Diaspora storytelling combat erasure.
Modern Applications
Vigilance
- Monitor policies.
- Fact-check using primary sources, not biased “fact-checkers.”
- Ask: “Who benefits?”
Build Networks
- Join mutual aid groups or decentralized platforms.
Prepare for Crisis
- Emergency funds, disaster kits, and contingency plans.
Protect Privacy
- Use encryption, avoid public Wi-Fi, and advocate for privacy laws.
Conclusion
Anyway, there are just some things that came to mind as I dug more deeply into the history of Acadians. I may expand on this post in more detail in future entries.
The Acadians’ tragedy should be remembered because, “history doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes.”
To avoid their fate, we must maintain identity, question power, and act before crises strike.
What do you think?
