In 1662, Russia was in a state of unrest. The people were exhausted after a lengthy war with Poland and Sweden, and by frequent crop failure, as well as the heavy taxes imposed by the Czar, or ruler of Russia. At this time, the Russian Government decided to begin issuing copper money in large quantities in place of the silver money, which was already existence. The people became very angry as this was followed by a sharp rise in the prices of bread and other foodstuffs. They rioted on July 25,1662 but the Czar put down the riots with an iron hand. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands were sent to prison or exiled to Siberia.
