Final answer:
The French aristocracy led a lifestyle of luxury and excess, which was starkly different from that of the common people. The emerging middle class, influenced by Enlightenment ideals, was pivotal in instigating the French Revolution in 1789. The revolution resulted in substantial social and legal reforms that aimed to establish equality and liberty in French civil life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lifestyle of the French Aristocracy Before the Revolution
The aristocracy in France before the French Revolution led a lifestyle of luxury and excess. This small segment of the population had enormous wealth, owning over 90% of the nation's wealth. They often engaged in leisure activities and romantic intrigues, displaying their opulence through various means such as art, exemplified by Fragonard's 'The Swing', and architecture. This indulgent lifestyle formed a stark contrast to the lives of the common people in France, most of whom were burdened with poverty and strife.
The Rise of the Middle Class and the Onset of the French Revolution
Meanwhile, a small but growing middle class began to emerge, becoming increasingly discontent with the disparity in wealth and power. Inspired by Enlightenment ideas of liberty and tolerance, they sought to challenge the existing order that favored the aristocracy. This burgeoning middle class played a significant role in propelling the French Revolution forward in 1789, eventually leading to the end of the monarchy and a restructuring of the French society and government.
Impact of the French Revolution on Civil Life
The French Revolution brought significant changes to the civil life of France and its conquered territories. Reforms such as equality before the law, the abolition of noble privileges, secularization of church property, and religious toleration were introduced. These were a continuation of the revolution's ideas, striving for a fairer society that provided opportunities and rights irrespective of one's birth or status.