Gazing Anew at Poltava: Perspectives from the Military Revolution Controversy, Comparative History, and Decision-Making Doctrines.

In this article, the author applies the military revolution doctrine, which describes the evolution of military technology and warfare in early modern Europe, to an analysis of Russia's victory over Sweden in the 1709 Battle of Poltava, Ukraine. The author explains how changes to tactical transformations and firepower that had developed in Russia over two hundred years largely influenced Russian Emperor Peter I's land army reform and subsequent success at Poltava. Focus is given to the way in which Russian Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich's creation of more effective infantry units and deployment strategies during the Thirteen Years' War benefited Peter at Poltava. Also addressed is Peter's command of his forces.