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<br>= Acadians =
{{short description|French-speaking descendants of the early French settlers in parts of Canada and the United States}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Acadians
| image = [[File:Acadian Distribution in Canada, 2021 Census.jpg|thumb|right|Distribution of Acadians in Canada, 2021 Census]]
| population = Approximately 1.5 million
| regions = [[Canada]] (primarily [[New Brunswick]], [[Nova Scotia]], [[Prince Edward Island]]), [[United States]] (primarily [[Louisiana]])
| languages = [[French language|French]] (Acadian French), [[English language|English]]
| religions = Predominantly [[Roman Catholicism]]
}}


The Acadians are the descendants of French settlers who colonized parts of what are now the Canadian Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, as well as parts of Quebec and the U.S. state of Maine. This group of people has a rich cultural heritage and a history marked by resilience and adaptation.
The '''Acadians''' are the descendants of French settlers who arrived in [[Acadia]], a region of northeastern [[North America]] that includes parts of present-day [[Nova Scotia]], [[New Brunswick]], and [[Prince Edward Island]]. The Acadian people have a distinct cultural identity, shaped by their history, language, and traditions.


== History ==
==History==
[[File:Acadia 1754.png|thumb|right|Map of Acadia in 1754]]
The history of the Acadians begins in the early 17th century when French settlers established colonies in the region known as Acadia. The first permanent settlement was founded in 1604 on [[Saint Croix Island]] by [[Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons]] and [[Samuel de Champlain]]. Over the next century, the Acadian population grew, developing a unique culture and way of life.


=== Early Settlement ===
In 1713, the [[Treaty of Utrecht]] ceded Acadia to the British, leading to tensions between the British authorities and the Acadian population. These tensions culminated in the [[Great Expulsion]] (''Le Grand Dérangement'') of 1755, when thousands of Acadians were forcibly removed from their homes by the British and dispersed across the American colonies, the Caribbean, and Europe.
The Acadian story begins in the early 17th century when French explorers and settlers established the colony of Acadia. The first permanent settlement was founded in 1604 on Saint Croix Island by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, and Samuel de Champlain. However, due to harsh conditions, the settlement was moved to Port-Royal (present-day Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia) in 1605.


The Acadians developed a distinct culture and society, characterized by their farming techniques, which included the construction of dykes to reclaim marshlands for agriculture. They lived in relative peace with the indigenous Mi'kmaq people and maintained a degree of autonomy from the French and later British colonial governments.
Many Acadians eventually settled in [[Louisiana]], where they became known as [[Cajuns]]. Others returned to the Maritime provinces of Canada, where they re-established their communities.


=== The Great Upheaval ===
==Culture==
The Acadian population grew steadily until the mid-18th century when geopolitical tensions between France and Britain escalated. The British conquest of Acadia in 1710 marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for the Acadians. Despite the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which ceded Acadia to Britain, the Acadians were allowed to remain on their lands as "neutral French" subjects.
[[File:Acadians, Inset of painting by Samuel Scott Annapolis Royal, 1751.jpg|thumb|right|Acadians depicted in a painting from 1751]]
Acadian culture is characterized by its rich traditions in music, dance, and cuisine. The Acadian language, a variant of French, is still spoken by many Acadians today, particularly in New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia.


However, during the French and Indian War (1754-1763), the British authorities, suspicious of Acadian loyalty, demanded an unconditional oath of allegiance to the British Crown. Many Acadians refused, leading to the infamous "Great Upheaval" or "Le Grand Dérangement" in 1755. Over 10,000 Acadians were forcibly removed from their homes, with many being deported to the American colonies, France, and other parts of the world.
Acadian music is known for its lively rhythms and use of instruments such as the fiddle and accordion. Traditional Acadian dishes include ''poutine râpée'', ''râpure'', and ''fricot''.


=== Resettlement and Legacy ===
==Modern Acadian Communities==
After the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which ended the Seven Years' War, some Acadians returned to the Maritime provinces, while others settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. The Acadian diaspora contributed to the spread of their culture and traditions across North America.
Today, Acadian communities are primarily found in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The city of [[Moncton, New Brunswick|Moncton]] is often considered the cultural capital of Acadia.


Today, Acadian communities thrive in parts of Canada and the United States, preserving their unique language, music, and customs. The Acadian identity remains a vibrant part of the cultural mosaic of these regions.
In the United States, the Acadian legacy is most prominent in Louisiana, where the Cajun culture has become an integral part of the state's identity.


== Culture ==
==Also see==
* [[Cajuns]]
* [[Great Expulsion]]
* [[Acadian French]]
* [[History of Nova Scotia]]
* [[French colonization of the Americas]]


=== Language ===
==References==
The Acadian language is a variety of French that has evolved over centuries. It incorporates elements of 17th-century French, indigenous languages, and English. In some regions, particularly in New Brunswick, Acadian French is still widely spoken.
* Griffiths, N. E. S. (2005). ''From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Border People, 1604-1755''. McGill-Queen's University Press.
* Faragher, J. M. (2005). ''A Great and Noble Scheme: The Tragic Story of the Expulsion of the French Acadians from Their American Homeland''. W. W. Norton & Company.


=== Music and Dance ===
==External links==
Acadian music is characterized by its lively rhythms and use of instruments such as the fiddle, accordion, and spoons. Traditional Acadian music has influenced the development of Cajun music in Louisiana. Dance is also an integral part of Acadian culture, with traditional dances like the "quadrille" being popular at social gatherings.
* [https://www.acadian.org/ Acadian Genealogy Homepage]
* [https://www.cma2024.ca/ Congrès mondial acadien 2024]


=== Festivals ===
{{Acadia}}
Acadians celebrate their heritage through various festivals, the most notable being the National Acadian Day on August 15th. This day is marked by parades, music, and the "tintamarre," a noisy procession symbolizing Acadian resilience and pride.
[[Category:Acadian people]]
 
[[Category:French Canadian culture]]
== Notable Acadians ==
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Canada]]
 
[[Category:Ethnic groups in the United States]]
* '''Evangeline''': A fictional character from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie," which tells the story of an Acadian girl's search for her lost love during the Great Upheaval.
* '''Antonine Maillet''': An acclaimed Acadian author known for her novel "Pélagie-la-Charrette," which won the Prix Goncourt in 1979.
* '''Joseph Broussard''': A leader of the Acadian resistance against British forces during the Great Upheaval.
 
== Conclusion ==
 
The Acadians have a rich and complex history that reflects their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Their cultural contributions continue to enrich the regions where they settled, and their story is a testament to the enduring spirit of a people who have maintained their identity through centuries of change.
 
== References ==
 
* Griffiths, N. E. S. (2005). "From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Border People, 1604-1755." McGill-Queen's University Press.
* Faragher, J. M. (2005). "A Great and Noble Scheme: The Tragic Story of the Expulsion of the French Acadians from Their American Homeland." W. W. Norton & Company.
* Maillet, A. (1979). "Pélagie-la-Charrette." Éditions Grasset.
 
[[Category:Acadian history]]
[[Category:French diaspora]]
[[Category:Canadian culture]]

Latest revision as of 02:48, 11 December 2024

French-speaking descendants of the early French settlers in parts of Canada and the United States



The Acadians are the descendants of French settlers who arrived in Acadia, a region of northeastern North America that includes parts of present-day Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The Acadian people have a distinct cultural identity, shaped by their history, language, and traditions.

History[edit]

Map of Acadia in 1754

The history of the Acadians begins in the early 17th century when French settlers established colonies in the region known as Acadia. The first permanent settlement was founded in 1604 on Saint Croix Island by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and Samuel de Champlain. Over the next century, the Acadian population grew, developing a unique culture and way of life.

In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht ceded Acadia to the British, leading to tensions between the British authorities and the Acadian population. These tensions culminated in the Great Expulsion (Le Grand Dérangement) of 1755, when thousands of Acadians were forcibly removed from their homes by the British and dispersed across the American colonies, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Many Acadians eventually settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. Others returned to the Maritime provinces of Canada, where they re-established their communities.

Culture[edit]

Acadians depicted in a painting from 1751

Acadian culture is characterized by its rich traditions in music, dance, and cuisine. The Acadian language, a variant of French, is still spoken by many Acadians today, particularly in New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia.

Acadian music is known for its lively rhythms and use of instruments such as the fiddle and accordion. Traditional Acadian dishes include poutine râpée, râpure, and fricot.

Modern Acadian Communities[edit]

Today, Acadian communities are primarily found in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The city of Moncton is often considered the cultural capital of Acadia.

In the United States, the Acadian legacy is most prominent in Louisiana, where the Cajun culture has become an integral part of the state's identity.

Also see[edit]

References[edit]

  • Griffiths, N. E. S. (2005). From Migrant to Acadian: A North American Border People, 1604-1755. McGill-Queen's University Press.
  • Faragher, J. M. (2005). A Great and Noble Scheme: The Tragic Story of the Expulsion of the French Acadians from Their American Homeland. W. W. Norton & Company.

External links[edit]

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