19th Century French Culture Kelcie Plank World Cultures Unit 1: Lesson 5 Life: Middle class Also known as the French Bourgeoisie In the 1870?s, the evolution of a large class of white collared workers came to be noticed. Had modest incomes From small businesses, retail shops, clerical, and professional jobs Formed the backbone of the Republican District Women were not expected to work Especially true for married women with children But primarily because of economic urgency, 68 percent of all women over age 16 and 56 percent of all married women held salaried jobs in 1906(19th-Century French Economy and Society, Emergence of the Middle Class) Life: Middle class homes Most middle class homes were rented Displayed lavish d?cor to show family wealth Life: Middle class clothing