FRJB25 PSLL HERITAGE History of Dunkirk in the 18th century

Activity of 45 minutes.

The students were divided into groups of four, each with a correspondent. A brief overview of the history of Dunkirk in the 17th and 18th centuries was provided using documents (maps, tables, timelines). The goal was to help them understand that Dunkirk was completely transformed by Vauban at the request of Louis XIV and that the city was then the most important port in the kingdom. The city was then completely transformed, as shown by maps from the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

From there, the students had to find the names of several buildings dating from this period using current photos and historical informations. They had to match each photograph with an explanatory text in French and English. There were five buildings dating from this period : the belfry, the Leughenaer tower, the naval gate, the oldest house in Dunkirk, and a shipowner's house.

They then had to locate them on a 1713 map by finding the buildings listed in a key below the map.

The second activity consisted of finding the current location of these buildings. To do this, they had a current map of the city and had to use Google Maps with the Street View option to navigate. The French students had to help their correspondent find their way on the map of Dunkirk. Finally, each student came to the board to correct the exercise.

Additional information was provided each time on each document, particularly through additional historical documents. 

The workshop allowed the students to discover the rich heritage of Dunkirk. It was all the more interesting because they were then able to see them "in real life" during another activity organized in the city. They were also able to discover certain elements of the local culture.

The students collaborated well with their correspondents. The use of GIS made the activity more concrete.