Acadian
militias were units of
Acadian part-time soldiers who fought in coordination with the
Wabanaki Confederacy (particularly the
Mi'kmaq militias) and French forces during the colonial period, to defend
Acadia against encroachment by the
English (the
British after 1707). Some other Acadians provided military intelligence, sanctuary, and logistical support to the resistance movement. (And other Acadians remained neutral in the contest between the French–Wabanaki Confederacy forces and the British.) The Acadian militias achieved effective resistance for more than 75 years and through six wars before their eventual demise. According to Acadian historian Maurice Basque, the story of
Evangeline continues to influence historic accounts of the deportation, emphasising neutral Acadians and de-emphasising those who resisted the British. While Acadian militia was briefly active during the
American Revolution, the militias were dormant throughout the nineteenth century. After confederation, Acadians eventually joined the Canadian War efforts in
World War I and
World War II. The most well-known colonial leaders of these militias were
Joseph Broussard and
Joseph-Nicolas Gautier.