History 2520 Europe in the Nineteenth Century: 1815-1914

Fall 2005 J. Sperber

Third Paper

Michael Miller’s book, The Bon Marché describes the founding, development and success of Europe’s (and perhaps the world’s) first department store. Its success was in large part the result of innovations in marketing, labor force utilization, and management of a large business enterprise. In the years between 1890 and 1914 department stores like the Bon Marché spread widely throughout Europe. We would like you to write an essay explaining the key innovations in marketing, labor force utilization and efficient management used by the owners of the Bon Marché. Then, we would like you to explain how educational, economic and social developments made it possible for these innovations to spread widely through Europe after 1890. Note that a successful paper will describe both specific innovations in the Bon Marché and also the general developments that made it possible for these innovations and the businesses based on them to spread throughout Europe.

The essay should be approximately five double-spaced, typed pages (1,250-1,500 words). It is due, in class, Wednesday, November 9. Unlike the other papers assigned in the course, this one will not be rewritten. You will receive a grade on the version you turn in at the due date! If you feel unsure about this paper, we would particularly recommend that you consult in advance with either the professor, one of the TA’s, or the WI tutor. The class session of Monday, November 7, will be devoted to discussing The Bon Marché.

A note about reading the book

Unlike the other works assigned in this class, The Bon Marché is a scholarly monograph, and parts of it may seem a bit intimidating to read. Here are a few suggestions that will help. First, skip the introduction. It discusses issues in historical sociology, at a high level of abstraction, and is not too useful for our purposes. Second, look at the pictures. The illustrations help carry the argument and deserve some careful study. They are also fun to look at—we think so, anyway.

The author uses a number of French terms, only translating them once or not translating them at all. We thought that such a practice was both unfair and a bit snobbish, so we have provided you with a glossary, mostly in alphabetical order.

autofinancement - lit., “self-financing,” businesses that expand by reinvesting their profits, rather than by borrowing money or selling shares of stock.

bien pensant - lit. “good thinking,” that is, Catholic, conservative, prudish, traditionalist.

commerçant - retailer

conseils des prud’hommes - industrial conciliation courts, that mediated labor relations disputes. Their lay judges were elected by employers and workers.

demoiselles - single young women

grande famille - big family

grands magasins - department stores

l’habit fait le moine - lit., “the habit makes the monk.” Equivalent English saying is “clothes make the man.”

hotels particuliers - town houses, of a mansion-like nature

magasins de nouveautés - dry-goods stores, shops that sold linens, cloth and fabric

oeuvre - in the context of the book, an institution or enterprise, generally for pious or charitable purposes

patron - boss, owner of the business

sociétés en commandites - a business arrangement like an American limited partnership in which just one or a few of the partners bear all the risk for the business and are financially liable for its liabilities, while the others are not.

sociétés anonymes - corporations with shares of stock, a board of directors, etc.

Finally, you might be wondering what the name of the store means (we did not note the author explaining it). “Bon Marché” might be translated as price worthy, as not expensive, but still good quality. The American equivalent of the store’s name might be “priceright” or even “payless.”