Acadian Expulsion
Acadian Expulsion
The first victims of the move to drive out the French were not even in Canada – but a peaceful population of Acadians in Nova Scotia who refused to swear an oath to the English King.
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| In the late summer and autumn of 1755, 7000 Acadians were expelled from Nova Scotia. (As portrayed in Canada: A People's History) |
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The New England forces (comprised of American colonists) burnt the Acadian settlements and shipped thousands into exile.
Massachussetts Governor William Shirley, whom the Acadians feared would take some of the land for English settlers, considered it just the first blow against Canada.
"It is happy for us that we have now a fair opportunity offered of ridding the Province of its dangerous neighbours...it would be wounding the Serpent in the head."
In that one short summer in 1755 the battle for the continent had begun. Acadia was left devastated and burning, the Ohio Valley was a killing ground and Quebec City was preparing for war.
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