CA-K153History

The Caraquet Riot of 1875

Caraquet, New Brunswick, on the Acadian Peninsula, from the air in 2026. Caraquet, New Brunswick · Quintin Soloviev · Photo source · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.

Factual accuracy review: No recorded challenge

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The riot of the Acadians of Caraquet in January 1875 was the culmination of four years of Catholic opposition to New Brunswick’s Common Schools Act of 1871, which aimed to eliminate denominational schools. After the violent arrest of protesters and the deaths of two men, the law was amended; the riot is an early example of religious and linguistic minorities resisting discrimination.

Scope & context

The riot and its outcome, not the full history of Acadian education or New Brunswick school law.

Sources behind this record

The Caraquet Riot of 1875 National Historic Event ↗

Parks Canada

Historical importance; plaque text