Final answer:
The Acadians are the descendants of French colonists from the early 17th century in the Maritime provinces of Canada. They were expelled by the British in 1755, an event known as the Great Expulsion, and some eventually became the Cajuns of Louisiana.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Acadians are C. The descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604.
These French settlers carved out a community in the Northeastern part of the Americas, primarily in the areas known today as the Canadian Maritime provinces.
Their society was disrupted in 1755 when the British pursued the Great Expulsion, deporting thousands of Acadians from Canada. Many relocated to other parts of North America, including regions that are now part of the United States.
A notable group of these expelled Acadians eventually settled in Louisiana, where their descendants became known as Cajuns.
It is essential to distinguish the Acadians from other groups in Canada like the Aboriginal peoples and the French Canadians of Quebec.
The Aboriginal peoples, which include the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, are indigenous to Canada and have distinct cultures and languages.
On the other hand, the French Canadians, particularly those in Quebec, are primarily the descendants of later French settlers and continue to foster a rich Francophone culture.