|
|
|
History of the Cajuns
Cajuns in the 18th Century
|
The history of the Cajun people starts in 17th century Canada. A group
of French settlers colonized land in the area now known as the Maritime
Provinces of Canada. The main area of settlement is now known as Nova Scotia,
but was referred to as Acadia for almost 2 centuries. For more information
on the Acadians, please go to the Acadian History or Acadian Genealogy web pages. After the English
exiled them from their land, the Acadians were scattered about. From 1765
to 1785, over 3,000 of them made their way to Louisiana. Louisiana was
to become their New Acadia. |
|
| Pre-1764
Louisiana |
| Louisiana been inhabited by
Europeans since the beginning of the 18th century. But up until the
time of the Acadian settlement, most of the population consisted of the
military and people looking to make money off of the territory. The
only real attempt at placing settlers was the group of Germans on the Mississippi River above New Orleans (the German Coast). Most
of the population was made up of French and French-Canadians. Though
they didn't know it when the first Acadians headed for Louisiana, they
would be arriving in Spanish territory. |
| The
First Acadians in New Acadia: 1764-1784 |
| Once the Treaty of Parish was
completed, Acadians were on the move. Those in the American colonies
and held at Nova Scotia made their way to Louisiana, with most of those
who came arriving in 1765 to 1768. They settled in the west (Attakapas/Opelousas)
of the Atchafalaya and along the Mississippi River (Acadian Coast). |
| The
Seven Ships of 1785 |
| The largest single group of
immigrants in 18th century Louisiana came in 1785, when Spain paid to carry
about 1600 Acadians from France to Louisiana. Most of this group
settled along Bayou Lafourche. |
| The
Acadians Become Established in Louisiana: 1786-1800 |
| After 1785, the Acadian migration
to Louisiana was essentially over. They set about to adapt to their
new surroundings. Taking what they knew, and mixing it with their
new climate and ideas from their neighbors, they were able to fit in and
succeed in their new environment. |
| Other
Nationalities in Louisiana |
| The Acadians, though the major
population in south-central Louisiana for some time, found themselves surrounded
by other nationalities. The blending of elements of these other cultures
eventually formed the Cajun culture. |
|
 |
|
|
Copyright © 1997-09 Tim Hebert |
