How to Cite
Abstract
The Acadian boundary negotiations (1750-1755) marked a transition in the use of geography as an imperial tool. The discussions followed a two-step process: appointed commissioners representing Britain and France pored over old maps and geographic tracts but were unable to identify the most "ancient" Acadian boundary; direct diplomatic discussions then used cartography in an attempt to establish mutually agreeable limits in the northeast. These debates were shaped by Atlantic connections and competing Euro-Aboriginal claims to sovereignty. In lieu of material power on the ground, geography was used as a multi-faceted tool to address overlapping territories and the threat of war. Résumé Les négociations entourant les frontières de l’Acadie (1750-1755) marquèrent une transition dans l’utilisation de la géographie en tant qu’outil impérial. Les discussions se déroulèrent en deux étapes : des commissaires nommés représentant la Grande-Bretagne et la France étudièrent de près de vieilles cartes et de vieux lotissements géographiques, mais furent incapables de déterminer la plus « ancienne » frontière de l’Acadie. Ensuite, des discussions diplomatiques directes eurent recours à la cartographie en vue d’établir des limites acceptables pour les deux parties dans la région du nord-est. Ces débats étaient façonnés par des relations atlantiques et des revendications concurrentes entre les Européens et les Autochtones en matière de souveraineté. Au lieu de la puissance matérielle sur le terrain, les parties en cause utilisèrent la géographie comme un outil aux multiples facettes pour régler la question des territoires se chevauchant et la menace de guerre.Copyright for articles published in this journal is retained by the author(s), with Acadiensis being granted a non-exclusive licence to each and every right in the work throughout the world. After publication of the work, the author(s) shall have the right to self-archive the work and to reprint the work in whole or in part in books authored by or edited by the author(s) without the payment of any fee. In these other formats, however, the author or authors are required to acknowledge the original publication of the work in the pages of the journal. In the case of any requests to reprint the work, Acadiensis will require a standard permission fee -- to be divided equally between the journal and the author. In the event that such requests are received by the author(s), the author(s) shall direct such requests to the journal.