Deportation era Acadian community leaders : an arrested continuity

Abstract

This thesis examines Acadian community leadership over the span of the deportation era. While certain aspects of leadership have been discussed in previous studies, there has not been a serious review of leaders and their leadership of Acadian communities bridging the deportation era. The Acadian historiography has not effectively dealt with the diversity and continuity of leadership in this period. Participation in leadership activities by no more than six individuals will be reviewed in the years leading up to the Deportation. The adaptability of community leaders as demonstrated by their collective responses to the turmoil of the deportation period provides valuable insights into the Acadian community. The stabilization of Acadian political economy and the role of the post-deportation period Acadians leaders can be viewed as a contrast to the fragile stability of the pre-deportation era. The activities of the six notable leaders in the period of the deportation will be compared with those of the pre and post-deportation period. Activities during the deportation period of 1748 to 1762 by the leaders under review has not been given adequate attention in the Acadian historiography.

The resettlement of exiled and displaced Acadians will be assessed in the context of patterns of land ownership and economic activities. Leadership in this period required a flexibility and emphasis on the needs of the Acadian community as a whole not previously evident. The adaptability of the Acadian leaders to these unique challenges and the nuances of their leadership styles clearly demonstrated their effectiveness as leaders.