unit 4 seance 1 Canada
seance 2 the Acadians
In 1603, King Henry IV of France gave Pierre Dugua de Mons the right to colonize parts of North America.
In 1604, Dugua arrived with 79 settlers and built a fort at the St. Croix River. The first winter was harsh, and 36 colonists died.
The survivors moved and founded Acadia, which prospered thanks to good relations with the Micmac people, who taught them survival skills.
Rivalry with England grew, and Acadia shifted between French and English control.
In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht forced France to cede Acadia to Britain, who renamed it Nova Scotia.
The French-speaking Acadians were seen as troublesome by the British because of their ties to France and their fertile lands.
In 1755, the British demanded Acadians swear allegiance and fight against France. When they refused, British troops destroyed their homes and forced about 14,000 Acadians into exile.
Some fled to Quebec, while others traveled to Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns.
Today, Cajun descendants still live in Louisiana and many continue to speak a French dialect.
✨ This text shows how Acadia’s history reflects colonial rivalry, cultural resilience, and the lasting legacy of the Acadian people in North America.
