Copper Riot

[1] The riot was preceded by a gradual deterioration of Moscow's economy because of the Livonian War with Poland and Sweden and a sharp rise in taxes.

A few days before the riot, there had already been rumours on the so-called vorovskiye listki (воровские листки, or black lists), which contained the names of those responsible for economic misfortunes.

Up to 10,000 people took part in the civil unrest, mostly Muscovites (posads, soldiers, reiters, some of the streltsy from the Moscow garrison, kholops and peasants).

The Tsar and the boyars promised to lower the taxes and conduct an investigation in accordance with the demands of the petition and the proclamation presented by the angry crowd.

[citation needed] The Copper Riot had lasted for only a day but caused perplexity and fear for top government officials.