The 18th century brought about several reforms in Europe. Many of these much needed changes were due to the Enlightenment and its offshoot, Enlightened Absolutism. Enlightened Absolutism describes the ruling style of several monarchs of this era. These kings and queens did not hold their power because of some divine right but because of a social contract with their subjects. The Enlightened Absolutists governed with the ideas from the Enlightenment in mind and many times were friends or pen pals with an Enlightenment thinker. Frederick II of Prussia was an excellent example. Notably, he practiced religious toleration for all groups, knowing that persecuted sects would travel to Prussia and he would rule over a great nation of skilled workers. Frederick also mildly reformed his judicial system and was even a friend of Voltaire. Likewise, Catharine the Great of Russia was Voltaire’s pen pal and also a friend to Diderot. Besides reforming Russia’s religious system by incorporating it into the government she founded many schools to educate the masses. Instituting one of the first mandatory education policies, Joseph II of Austria also demonstrated his pro-educational views. Because he sincerely believed the monks wasted time praying all day, he abolished many abbeys to consolidate the holy men into working citizens, seizing the monasteries’ grounds for himself. He reformed the legal system and upgraded the condition of serfs. Under the reign of Joseph II, Austria became the most religiously tolerant Catholic country around. Religious toleration, education, and economic advancement were issues that were highly important to the rulers of this time because it was widely accepted that they had some sort of a contract with the people they ruled to better their countries. The Enlightened Absolutist monarchs, Frederick II of Prussia, Catharine the Great of Russia, and Joseph II of Austria, reformed much of Europe in drastic ways.