Anna uses dependent ministers to escape aristocratic control

Anna had governed Courland for about twenty years after her husband's early death, giving her experience in the politics of ruling. Russian nobles favoured her as a capable, childless candidate whom they expected to direct, partly following the example of aristocratic influence in Sweden. She countered that expectation by appointing Baltic German ministers who owed their positions to her support. Lavish construction and support for military education and scientific institutions accompanied the continuation of westernisation. Her political-investigation office also used severe cruelty against people considered threats. Naming her grand-nephew Ivan VI as successor and Biron as regent did not overcome the factional hostility she had created.