The document provides a history of the Acadians and the events leading up to the Great Deportation between 1755-1763. It describes how the Acadians originated and settled in the region, and the ongoing territorial disputes between the British and French for control over Acadia. Tensions increased as the Acadians refused to sign an oath pledging allegiance to Britain. In 1755, the British deported thousands of Acadians to other colonies to weaken their community and eliminate the threat of French influence in the region. Over 10,000 Acadians lived in Nova Scotia at the time, with around 6,000 deported and 4,000 escaping or hiding in the woods.