Why did the government's policy of repression fail in the February Revolution?

Correct answer: Because a large section of soldiers began withdrawing from action against demonstrators

A government’s repressive policy works only if soldiers and police are willing to enforce its orders. During the February Revolution, a large section of soldiers began refusing to fire on or act against demonstrators. Their change of attitude weakened the government’s immediate ability to suppress protests, while workers’ mobilisation continued. Therefore, repression failed not because the demands disappeared, but because the state could no longer depend fully on its armed forces.

Option A is correct because soldiers withdrawing from action against demonstrators directly weakened repression. Workers had not abandoned all demands, the Duma did not simply give the Tsar complete support, and the food crisis had not ended. The episode demonstrates how loss of military obedience can turn a protest into a wider political crisis.