The Acadians who lived in Acadia farmed, hunted, fished, and raised livestock. The women took care of the children and animals. The Acadians had healthy harvests and were the envy of the New England farmers. They used what was called an "aboiteau." It made excess water from the farmlands go back into the ocean. Because the Acadians used this, the New England fanners called them lazy.

When the Treaty of Utrecht was signed in 1713, Acadia became British property. Prince Edward Island (Île Saint-Jean) and Cape Breton (Île Royale) remained with France. Acadia then became known as Nova Scotia. The Acadians had the option of moving to Cape Breton. Many of them did not leave because the farming was bad there. The Acadians left in Nova Scotia had to swear an oath of allegiance to Britain. That meant they would have to fight for Britain, even against the French. It was only in 1730 that the English governor, Richard Philipps, let the Acadians remain neutral. They had to swear to obey the British, but no longer had to fight for them.