BEGINNING IN 1755 the government of Empress Elizabeth, under increasing economic and military pressure, made great changes in the Russian monetary system. These innovations were played out against an increasingly dangerous situation in Europe, which culminated in the Seven Year’s War (1756–1763). Russia did not enter the conflict until the spring of 1757, but already had been deeply committed to the coalition that aligned itself against Prussian King Frederick II.
The war had its origins in the ambitions of Frederick to enlarge the Prussian kingdom at the expense of his neighbors. At first Great Britain was part of the anti-Prussian league of nations, but in an about-face became an ally of Prussia to save its possessions in Hanover. (George I of England had been king of Hanover before being called to the English throne in 1727. George II, son of George I, was on the throne in 1756.)
Actual fighting erupted in 1756 but it was not until Russia fully mobilized in 1757 that she entered the contest on the side of Austria and France. Russian armies were very successful against the Prussians and managed even to take Berlin for a short period. A special coinage was also struck for the occupied Prussian domains.
Empress Elizabeth was strongly opposed to the territorial ambitions of Frederick II, but her grand nephew, Peter, was
