During the Renaissance, trade allowed for new philosophical ideas to be spread throughout Europe and even in overseas by books being copied in printing presses. Philosophers works like John Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, etc had made there way around Europe through trade which promoted more progressive ideals in governments. Like the abolition of serfdom, religious tolerance, end of the death penalty or cruel and unnecessary torture. These influenced the monarchs of Russia, Prussia and Austria. These also influenced the revolutions in North America, France and later South and central America.
