Which forces did the government call to control protesters?

Correct answer: Cavalry and police

During the early days of the February Revolution in Petrograd, the government attempted to suppress the growing demonstrations by calling in the police and cavalry. These forces represented the state’s immediate effort to restore order through coercion rather than by addressing shortages, war-weariness, and political dissatisfaction. Thus option A is correct. Students and teachers were social groups, a peasant council was not the government’s regular enforcement force in Petrograd, and foreign traders had no such official role. The later refusal of some soldiers to continue firing and their movement toward the demonstrators helped weaken the government’s control.