Questions: Why did the February Revolution of 1917 succeed whereas that of 1905 failed? Tsar's ministers resigned and thus the Tsar's government fell apart. Most, if not all, of the Imperial armed forces were disloyal to the Tsar and thus would not fight for him. The Russian Empire was loosing in WWI and could not fight any longer. There were simply too many people who had rebelled. Tsar abdicated

The February Revolution of 1917 succeeded while the 1905 Revolution failed due to a combination of factors that were significantly different in each context. Here is a detailed analysis of these factors:

1. Tsar's Ministers Resigned and the Government Fell Apart:

   • In 1917, the Tsar's government was already weakened by the ongoing war and internal strife. The ministers' resignation was a critical blow to the already fragile government structure. In contrast, during the 1905 Revolution, the government managed to maintain a semblance of control and eventually reasserted its authority through a combination of concessions (like the October Manifesto) and repression.

2. Disloyalty of the Imperial Armed Forces:

   • By 1917, the loyalty of the armed forces to the Tsar had significantly eroded. Many soldiers were disillusioned by the prolonged and devastating effects of World War I, leading to widespread mutinies and refusal to suppress the revolution. In 1905, although there were some mutinies, the military largely remained loyal to the Tsar, allowing the government to suppress uprisings effectively.

3. Impact of World War I:

   • The Russian Empire's involvement in World War I was a major factor in the success of the 1917 Revolution. The war had drained resources, caused massive casualties, and led to severe economic and social hardships. This created widespread discontent among the population and the military. In 1905, although the Russo-Japanese War had caused discontent, it was not as prolonged or as devastating as World War I.

4. Scale of the Rebellion:

   • The February Revolution saw a massive and widespread uprising involving various segments of society, including workers, soldiers, and peasants. The scale and intensity of the rebellion in 1917 were much greater than in 1905, making it more difficult for the government to control.

5. Abdication of the Tsar:

   • The abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917 marked a decisive end to the autocratic rule, which was a significant factor in the revolution's success. In 1905, the Tsar managed to retain his throne by making concessions, such as the creation of the Duma, which temporarily appeased some of the revolutionary fervor.

In summary, the February Revolution of 1917 succeeded due to the compounded effects of a weakened government, disloyal military, the severe impact of World War I, the large scale of the rebellion, and the eventual abdication of the Tsar. These factors were either absent or less pronounced during the 1905 Revolution, leading to its failure.