Editing Anna of Russia (section)

==Legacy==
In the West, Anna's reign was traditionally viewed as a continuation of the transition from the old Muscovy ways to the European court envisioned by Peter the Great.{{sfn|Baynes|1878}} Her severe government was universally unpopular.{{sfn|Bain|1911|p=69}} Within Russia Anna's reign is often referred to as a "dark era".{{sfn|Lipski|1956|p=488}} Her unpopularity also derived from personality flaws. Even considering the need of Russian rulers to avoid displays of weakness, Anna's rule involved questionable actions towards her subjects. She was known to enjoy hunting animals from the palace windows and, on more than a few occasions, humiliated individuals with disabilities. The issues of serfdom, peasant and lower class slavery, taxation, dishonesty, and rule through constant fear persisted in Russia during her rule.{{sfn|Curtiss|1974|pp=231–232}} Her empire was described by Lefort, the Saxon minister, as being "comparable to a storm-threatened ship, manned by a pilot and crew who are all drunk or asleep. . . with no considerable future".{{sfn|Curtiss|1974|p=232}} Anna's war with Turkey, economic issues, and conspiracy revolving around her accession all bring to light an ominous glow of the empress' reign.{{sfn|Curtiss|1974|pp=232–233}} She restored the court in St. Petersburg and brought Russia's political atmosphere back to where Peter the Great had intended,{{sfn|Curtiss|1974|p=120}} and its grandeur was almost unmatched in Europe or Asia;{{sfn|Curtiss|1974|p=63}} but such lavish court life was overshadowed by the thousands of men slaughtered in war.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}