Exemplar for internal assessment resource History 2.4B for Achievement Standard 91232
Exemplar for Internal Assessment Resource
History Level 2
Resource title: Perspectives of an event
This exemplar supports assessment against:
Achievement Standard 91232
Interpret different perspectives of people in an historical event that is of
significance to New Zealanders
Student and grade boundary specific exemplar
The material has been gathered from student material specific to an A or B assessment
resource.
Date version published by
Ministry of Education
© Crown 2010
December 2011
To support internal assessment from 2012
Exemplar for internal assessment resource History 2.4B for Achievement Standard 91232
The teacher selected as the context for this generic activity the Bloody Sunday massacre
and 1905 revolution in St Petersburg (Russia).
Grade Boundary: Low Excellence
1.
For Excellence a comprehensive interpretation of different perspectives of people is
required. Comprehensive interpretation is to be demonstrated by showing depth of
understanding, discernment with significant relevant supporting evidence (Explanatory
Note 2). Actions related to perspectives are also expected (Explanatory Note 5). The
task requires students to do this in the context of the Bloody Sunday massacre and/or
1905 revolution in St Petersburg (Russia). Note that this Achievement Standard does
not specifically require students to show the link(s) between the context and
significance to New Zealanders.
This student has correctly followed the requirement of the Achievement Standard to
interpret from the perspective of named people (or from an historian’s perspective
would also have been acceptable).
Examples of perspectives communicated by this student include:
‘there is still much work to be done for the people whose country this is…’
‘This country needs a Bolshevik socialist government to make that happen…’
‘The abdication of the Tsar was bound to happen…’
A number of different perspectives are stated throughout both men’s diary entries –
though more significant supporting evidence to explain each perspective would have
helped to secure the Excellence judgement. For example, it would be desirable to
provide evidence to support ‘I am losing control as no-one will obey me in Petrograd…’
and ‘They [the Duma] don’t have any of the leadership qualities that my family could
offer.’ There are also some discerning observations – an Excellence requirement (e.g.
the presence of many nationalities makes government difficult, even when there is
autocracy; the Duma has too many members and groups for effective decisionmaking). These comments tend to be a little cryptic – more explanation would have
helped to secure the Excellence judgement.
More depth to the explanations for the wide range of perspectives that are
communicated would have made a judgement about the presence of ‘significant’
relevant supporting evidence easier (one example of this is the third last paragraph of
Nicholas’ diary: ‘I feel betrayed. Our country…’).
© Crown 2010
Student 1 page 1: Low Excellence
Lenin
I did not arrive in Petrograd until the night of April the 3rd. Therefore I was not there during March
l9l7 for the revolution. However, with the Tsar under arrest and Russian politics in chaos, I saw the
opportunity to lead my party the Bolsheviks, to power.
When I arrived back, I was greeted by the Russian populace, as well as by many leading political
figures, with great rapture and applause. However, far from uniting the fractious parties, I
immediately condemned the policies and ideologies of both the Provisional government and the
Petrograd soviet. They overthrew the Tsar, yes, but there is still much work to be done for the
people whose country this is. Kerensky and Bogdanov and the others do not understand that this
country needs a republic of Soviets of Workers', Agricultural Labourers' and Peasants' Deputies.
This country needs a Bolshevik socialist government to make that happen and that is what will be
achieved.
The abdication of the Tsar was bound to happen. Nicolas II was incapable of leading
Russia. His attempt to inspire his armies through personal leadership was a disaster waiting to
happen. Did he think that having no military experience wouldn't matter? His abdication was a
good thing for Russia and me. He didn't really want to do the best for the people of Russia but for
himself and his dynasty. That is what he was all about. It is of course much easier to shout, abuse
and howl than to attempt to relate, to explain. It is good for me and my party the Bolsheviks
because we can take power, actually lead Russia properly, the opposite of Nicolas ll. The
Romanovs are finished. The people have seen through their greedy capitalism and through the
corruption and the behind-the-scenes influence of that disgusting monk, Rasputin. Now our future
lies with overthrowing the Petrograd soviet and Kerensky's government. Well, if Kerensky thinks
Russia can keep fighting the war, that shouldn't take long. People will not stand for it. Let the
people speak.
In my April theses, I advocated non co-operation with the liberals and an immediate end to the war.
At first my uncompromising stance served to isolate me and my party, however, with my powerful
slogans like 'Peace, Land and Bread", I was able to win the hearts of the Russian people.
Peace because they are sick of war, sick of fighting. They are sick of soldiers going into battle
without adequate arms and being slaughtered. Land because they are sick of not having any or
close to none. And bread because the people of Russia are hungry and need to be fed. 'Peace, land
and bread. That's what I'll give them! No longer will the people of Russia have to stomach war,
poverty and starvation.
In view of the undoubted honesty of those broad sections of the mass as who believe in
revolutionary defencism and accept the war as a necessity in view of the fact that they are still
being deceived by the bourgeoisie, it is necessary ', with particular thoroughness, persistence and
patience to explain their error to them, and to prove that without overthrowing capital, it is
impossible to end the war by a truly democratic peace.
Student 1 page 2: Low Excellence
Nicholas II
It is the l5th of March 1917. The revolution has begun. Disorders started earlier this month in
Petrograd, unfortunately my troops have begun to take part as well. I am losing control as no one
will obey me in Petrograd or Moscow anymore.
The outside world should not be surprised that we have an imperfect government, but that we have
any government at all, with many nationalities, many languages and a nation largely illiterate, the
marvel is that the country will hold together even by autocratic means.
I have been forced to abdicate the position of Tsar as everyone has turned against me, including my
own army. The Volinsky Regiment mutinied. Then the others. I cannot believe they would betray
their Tsar. They have imprisoned me at Alexander Palace. This is no doubt because they are sick
of violence, sick of fighting the Germans in WWI and losing , sick of losing more and more men
and wanting a changed leadership. They have lost faith that I can carry them though. This angers
me as I need to lead my country through this crisis. The Duma has taken over but will not be able
to make the right decisions for Russia to survive this revolution. The Duma is not capable because
they are too large a body and too inexperienced at making decisions. They don't have any of the
leadership qualities that my family could offer and even we found controlling them difficult.
According to Ruzski and Rodzianko, the situation in Petrograd is such that a ministry of the Duma
would now be powerless to do anything, for it has to contend with Social Democrats, represented
by the worker committees. They have a huge influence on the rank and file in the army. How can
all the different groups work together? Kerensky is talking about freedom of speech and releasing
political prisoners, but the war is really the issue he needs to deal with. People are tired of the
losses on the Eastern Front. And Kerensky needs to keep a close eye on the Bolsheviks as well.
Their ridiculous ideas about socialism might be popular with soldiers who blame me for all the
deaths against the Germans.
I feel betrayed. Our country should be unified in the face of traditional enemy. If only our armies
had kept trying, we could have won. We just needed time. I left Pskov with a heavy heart because
of all the things gone through. A1l around me there is treachery, cowardice and deceit. I wish to
pass the role of Tsar onto my brother, Michael to keep it in within the family. Alexis, my son, is far
too young and ill to accept this role but my brother would be perfect.
I am considering becoming a country gentleman, take my family to an estate and enjoy the fresh air
and growing things. When the Duma fails, I will reclaim my title of the Tsar from my dear brother
Michael.
Maybe if I had stopped the strikes and demonstrating earlier this may not have happened.
Repression is still needed to bring order to Russia. Why does it matter if a few thousand peasants
and workers die, if we are able to win the war, stop the revolution and be a strong, powerful
country once again?
Exemplar for internal assessment resource History 2.4B for Achievement Standard 91232
Grade Boundary: High Merit
2.
For Merit, in-depth interpretation of different perspectives of people is required. This
requires interpreting perspectives which show depth of understanding, with relevant
supporting evidence.
Examples of perspectives communicated by this student include:
‘Bloody Sunday is an incident not even worth remembering…’
‘I don't understand what those peoples problem is. The Tsar, my Uncle, is a fine ruler
and is giving everything to his country and his people…’
‘I am glad the soldiers were ordered to shoot those uncouth peasants…’
Student 2 identifies Irina Romanov’s perspective by stating her pro-Tsarist sympathies.
Understanding and discernment (Excellence standard requirement) by this writer is
shown in demonstrating quite a clever naivety on the part of a member of the upper
level of society. Maria Spiridonova’s pro-worker perspective is stated some way into
the memoir. Reasons provided for her perspectives are not in depth, but are accurate.
This causes doubt for an overall Merit judgement.
Both writers briefly state actions they took to support their perspectives. Responses to
events are described, but more depth would have been desirable, especially in the
case of Irina Romanov. However, given the two people chosen by this student more
depth may be difficult to provide as their role and understanding of events may have
been relatively limited. This can be taken into account to some extent. To avoid this
sort of problem students would be wise to choose to interpret the perspectives of
people who can be researched in detail.
Some detail in naming relevant political figures is provided by both writers, but more
depth concerning their actions and roles would have helped to reach the Excellence
standard of ‘significant relevant supporting evidence’.
© Crown 2010
Student 2 page 1: High Merit
A memoir of the 1905 Bloody Sunday incident
By Irina Romanov
Bloody Sunday is an incident not even worth remembering. I was out of town at the time, visiting
my friend and her newborn baby. I heard about the incident through a family member and was
disgusted to hear that the peasants thought they actually had 'rights' and were demanding the right
to vote of all things! They believed they had the right to actually speak to the Tsar. Poor Nicholas,
I don't know how he handled the thought of having thousands of lower class citizens marching
towards his beautiful palace and dirtying his grounds. I don't understand what those peoples
problem is. The Tsar, my Uncle, is a fine ruler and is giving everything to his country and his
people, not that some of them deserve it. I am not usually an encourager of violence but I am glad
the soldiers were ordered to shoot those uncouth peasants. They degrade our country and make us
appear ignorant. The fewer rebellious peasants there are, the more food and supplies to go around I
say. I was absolutely appalled at the peasant's actions, bringing negative attention to the country
and making the Tsar seem like he was not doing his job effectively. This was an absolute horrific
incident for the Tsar and the Tsarina to hear about. I quickly rushed to Alexander Palace where the
family were staying to escape the demands of St Petersburg. There I made sure the family was
coping with the news of the massacre. I comforted the Tsars horrified daughters and played games
with them. After awhile they calmed down and when their life went back to normal I was not
needed anymore, The Tsar should use this incident to activate his okharana to seek out all of the
revolutionaries and appoint a minister with a backbone. I would recommend to him Peter Stolypin,
as he is very efficient, an organised person, and has the backbone to ensure workers don’t create
further problems. The Tsar should also call upon his nobles like the gallant Felix Yusopov and ask
his advice as he is one of the wealthiest men in Russia.
Student 2 page 2: High Merit
A memoir of the 1905 Bloody Sunday incident
By Maria Spiridonova
You wanted to hear about Bloody Sunday, January 22nd 1905, was an extremely dark day. I had
been visiting my aunt in St Petersburg, when a peaceful demonstration of workers was dispersed by
troops with considerable loss of life. It was a very bad reflection on Russia and Tsar Nicholas II
himself. The demonstration was organized by the Assembly of Russian Factory and Mill Workers
of St. Petersburg, a labour organization patronized initially by police authorities and led by Father
Georgi Gapon. Georgi Gapon drew up a petition outlining the workers' sufferings and demands.
This included calling for a reduction in the working day to eight hours, an increase in wages, an
improvement in working conditions and an end to the Russia-Japanese War. I fully supported
Gapon and strongly believed that the workers were being treated unfairly, like they were not even
human beings. The poor harvests along with heavy taxes on items such as grain and salt have made
life unbearable for the working people. They are starving! I also do not understand at all, why we
are at war with Japan. When the workers marched to the Tsar's palace, they were met with an army
of troops who unexpectedly began shooting and sent Cossacks against the march of workers. When
I heard about this I was disgusted. As a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party I was outraged
at the Tsar's actions or should I say lack of them to help the peasants and improve their lives.
What happened next you ask me? Why a Revolution of course. Workers went on strike, the
peasants rose up and Our Little Father was at war with his own people. I assassinated, by shooting
him in the face, an important policeman called General G.N. Luzhenovsky who had ordered some
peasants to be killed. I was arrested of course but that is another story.
Exemplar for internal assessment resource History 2.4B for Achievement Standard 91232
Grade Boundary: Low Merit
3.
For Merit, in-depth interpretation of different perspectives of people is required.
Student 3 has presented a very clear, well-written overall understanding of the main
issues. Several different elements that contributed to the historical event are included.
The main problem for a Merit judgement is the relative lack of detail to support the main
ideas. For example, an expansion of the section about ‘…workers’ lifestyle conditions’
in Father Gapon’s diary and of the war against Japan in Tsar’s diary would make the
sort of difference that could secure the Merit judgement.
The perspectives of the Tsar follow his description of events, but there is less depth
provided than was the case with Father Gapon. Father Gapon is clearly describing his
perspectives (e.g. ‘…we have lost all faith in him…’, ‘…Cossacks have ruined
everything…’, ‘…most horrible scene I have ever witnessed…’). More depth in
evidence supporting the perspectives could have allowed a clearer Merit judgement.
Each writer does conclude with a description of actions that result from perspectives
and this helps to address the expectation contained in Explanatory Note 5, but they are
very brief and not very convincing. Normally, a specific (and, for Merit, detailed)
account of actions personally taken by each writer in response to the perspective(s)
held should be expected.
© Crown 2010
Student 3 page 1: Low Merit
Father Gapon
22nd January, 1905
What a dark day it has been for our nation today. There was a huge massacre outside the Winter
Palace when all we were doing was delivering a petition to the Tsar. I am deeply troubled by the
violence that the Tsar insists upon to deal with Russia's issues. Why can't he just see to our
problems in a peaceful fashion, like we were attempting to do today? But now, instead of peace
there are hundreds dead. My anger towards the Tsar cannot be expressed enough for what he has
done to our country and its people. He is no longer our Tsar, we have lost all faith in him. He has
betrayed us as a leader and I no longer see him fit to be our ruler.
The Cossacks have ruined everything; they took away our hopes for a more fair country when they
attacked us for no reason. We were there, at the Winter Palace, only in a non-violent attempt to
give the Tsar a petition I had organised against the worker’s lifestyle conditions. The high taxes
workers pay on grain as well as salt and alcohol mean they have no money left to feed their
families- they are starving to death! The unfortunate workers of our country, especially the factory
workers, have been overworked and underpaid for too long now! I thought it was about time we did
something about it, so I set up a petition pleading the Tsar to acknowledge and change the
sufferings and demands of the workers. I asked him in the petition to reduce the length of a typical
working day, to increase wages and to provide the workers with more safe and healthy conditions. I
just wanted the best for our country. The striking workers and their families joined me to deliver
the petition to Our Little Father at the Winter Palace. We held pictures of the Tsar and sang hymns
as we marched. Just near the Narva Gate we were attacked, without warning by the Palace Troops.
Many screams were heard that still echo through my mind when the Cossacks marched up to us
rapidly and charged at the crowds. I could hear rifles being fired; shots were let off randomly all
through the large crowd. The cries sent many chills down my spine, especially the poor, innocent
women and children. The sight of innocent protestor's bodies lying dead on the ground was the
most horrible scene I have ever witnessed. No-one deserved to die today, the Cossacks and the Tsar
should be ashamed of themselves! I can't even contemplate the amount of casualties; it would be at
least a few hundred I would think. And that's not even including all the injuries people suffered!
What kind of a leader would want his country to suffer like this? If the Tsar continues to rule
Russia in this fashion, our country is doomed. I fear the situation will worsen, there is already talk
of further strikes and protests! I must go into hiding straight away, until I can figure out what to do,
as I think people will be after me for leading the protest. I believe if this keeps up, I may leave
Russia. I cannot stand to watch our country fall apart further, I must escape all the violence that has
been inflicted upon us lately. I pray God defend Russia.
Student 3 page 2: Low Merit
Tsar Nicholas
22nd January, 1905
With the rising prices of essential goods, the pressure of the Russo-Japanese War and the defeats
we have suffered, I believed that Russia was through the worst. I have been told the people have
been suffering because of the war but I simply had to divert food and supplies to the front...the
soldiers had to be fed. However this is not the case, for today has been a tiresome day which I'm
certainly not proud of. There was a massacre between my infantry and a large mob of Russian
workers. I was not there, however, for I was at my Winter Retreat at the time of the attack. My
Chief of Security, Grand Duke Vladimir gave me a full account of what happened, saying that an
extremely large, violent group of Russian protestors marched up to my Winter Palace, seeking to
deliver me a petition against working rights and such in Russia. He told me that in order to protect
my Palace and themselves, as they were terrified they were going to come to harm, he ordered my
soldiers to fire into the crowd to warn the workers. They apparently did not back off and so the
troops were left with no choice but to attack. This news was painful and upsetting to hear, how sad
to think there are hundreds of fathers and mothers who will not return home today! And some of
them were innocent too, women and children that were only observing, or so my troop tells me.
I am confident my people of Russia will nevertheless have faith in my word, for I am the mighty
Tsar, the ruler of the Russians! I'm sure they will realise that they should not blame this tragedy on
my part, as I was in no way involved with the attack, and I did not give my approval for the troops
to kill. My people will see sense, I'm sure, as I am known as their 'Little Father.' How can they
refuse my word! Russia will quickly recover from this and strive once again, I am convinced. I
think I may make a declaration to the public in way of a newspaper article, I must let the people
know how upset I am by this tragedy! I will apologize deeply for the incident and tell the workers
to return home, for then surely they will see I am not to blame. Hopefully then some order and
stability can be restored to Russia. We must move on from this disaster in order for our nation to
become great again! Thank goodness Mama for lunch and I was able to forget about this terrible
day.
Exemplar for internal assessment resource History 2.4B for Achievement Standard 91232
Grade Boundary: High Achieved
4.
For Achievement, interpretation of different perspectives of people is required.
Student 4 presents a range of ideas and shows good overall understanding of the main
issues, but the diary entries are lacking in depth, making the evidence insufficient for
Merit, which requires communication of depth of understanding. Although the evidence
is relatively brief, there is a range of perspectives communicated and the good broad
understanding presented in the diaries of the two writers allows a high Achievement
judgement.
© Crown 2010
Student 4 page 1: High Achieved
The diary of Vladimir Sergei
Cossack worker
Evening of January 22nd 1905
The peasants and factory workers have been causing chaos around St Petersburg with their protests
and riots. I have been employed as a Cossack to protect the Tsar. The peasants and factory
workers have been trying to get the attention of the Tsar, it’s my job to stop this from happening.
The factory workers complain about their lives being hard, but the war against Japan has made
everybody’s lives difficult. We are losing the war and a large amount of men daily. The food
sources are running low. This hasn’t stopped the Cossacks working hard for our Tsar by stopping
the factory workers from rioting. Today Bloody Sunday there were 200,000 factory workers and
peasants marching violently towards the Tsars winter palace, leading the procession was Father
Gapon.
I think that our Tsar is wonderful and I really support fighting for him, when the factory workers
came to demand justice. They were asking for a shorter working day and more pay! They even
had the nerve to ask the Tsar to call elections and to give everybody the vote! It is the Tsar’s right
to make decisions for our great country NOT to be told what to do by a bunch of filthy peasants and
workers. Peasants and workers are useless and they don’t do anything worth our Tsar approval all
they do is cause chaos and complain about his leadership. I think we took the right course of action
to deal with the peasants and workers. Our Tsar doesn’t want change and I will fight to make sure
there is no change or oppertunities for change to occur. Out Tsar is under alot of pressure from his
country and I think he’s doing the best he can. I think it was necessary to put them into their place
and show them the power of our Tsar. We guarded his palace and let nobody past. We killed all
those who caused us troble.
I have been working for the Tsar as long as I can remember, I have prevented many protests and
out burtst from the workers. My Tsar has always shown respect for our services. The reason I
have supported my Tsar by killing the workers is because I believe they came violently. We heard
many of them were armed with weapons. We don’t care about the changes they want and we
fought diligently four our Tsar. I think that my actions of killing the workers and peasants was
about what the Tsar wanted and all I do is protect him. The workers think that we are treating them
unfairly but we just do as out Tsar requests. He has not failed anybody I think he deserves our
loyalty and respect. I am pleased with the outcome of Bloody Sunday we have shown the worker
the results of what happens when they go against or Tsars wishes.
Vladimir Sergei
Student 4 page 2: High Achieved
The diary of Sergei Vladimir
Factory worker
Evening of January 22nd 1905
Things have been getting worse and worse for Russia. Our great nation is suffering greatly
especially because of the war with the Japanese. Now it is even more difficult to get raw materials
to our factories. Prices of food and other goods are rising causing many people to starve. Our Tsar
is incompetent! Although things have been bad, today they have been the worst so far. Today I
joined 200,000 other factory workers marching to the Tsars winter palace, with Father Gapon
leading us. We were met with the Tsar’s cossacks. They slaughted hundreds of us.
I think that the Tsar isn’t a very good leader. He has no idea about how much we suffer. I am very
disappointed with his reaction to Bloody Sunday. We factory worker and our families came
peacefully we did not intend on fighting we just wanted the Tsar to understand our situation and
make some changes to the way the government is run. The use of the cossacks and the army was
not necessary we came without weapons and in our Sunday best. Anybody with a weapon was
thrown out of the march - this was to have been a peaceful march! They came with weapons. The
Tsar doesn’t intend on changing anything. We followed Father Gapon because we wanted we
wanted change there has to be change.
Exemplar for internal assessment resource History 2.4B for Achievement Standard 91232
Grade Boundary: Low Achieved
5.
For Achievement, interpretation of different perspectives of people is required.
Broad understanding of the main problems is presented by Student 5, but it lacks depth
– more especially in the case of the Tsar’s diary entry. On its own the Tsar’s diary
entry would be High Not Achieved because there is limited explanation to support the
perspectives that are being interpreted. The Tsar’s plan for the October Manifesto
does contribute to the requirement for actions/responses (though, historically, the
connection between the Manifesto and Bloody Sunday was not that direct). A little
detail in Father Gapon’s diary (the 8-hour day, numbers signing the petition and
striking) provides just enough of the sort of depth that allows low Achievement.
© Crown 2010
Student 5 page 1: Low Achieved
22nd January – Father Gapon
Today was terrible, if I knew I was walking hundreds of men, women and children to their deaths
this would have never happened. I came this morning thinking I had a reasonable debate to settle
in a mannered way. Prices have risen far too high on bread, salt and alcohol for the working class.
With the low wages they earn and the many hours worked it is ridiculous they can barely support
their families!! Is it too much to ask for a much needed reduction for their working days just to be
eight hours, more safety in the workplace where they spend most of their days and a increase in
their pay? Surely I thought this humane request would be granted and with almost 150,000 people
signing the petition and the strike that went on the day before the march, it was a fair request for the
Tsar to grant. But sadly no, instead I and my fellow peaceful protesters were greeted by the police
and cossacks who were more than ready to open fire at these innocent families. Near 200 lives
were lost or injured today and still our leader lives in luxury while the working class remain
suffering. From this event I must do the smart thing and move. I know that the cossacks are after
me. I now understand that there is no compensating with the Tsar and the way for me to enforce
any change is to join a very low key group which are against the government.
Student 5 page 2: Low Achieved
22nd January – Tsar Nicholas II
Today whilst I was in my winter retreat I heard from my Chief of Security, Grand Duke Vladimir
some terrible news for my capital of St Petersburg. Nearly 200 people were killed including
children and women by my police and cossacks. I know my people will find sense and know that
this massacre was not planned and was much a shock for they respect the choices I make and trust
me because I am sent from god. I am very sympathetic to the families in grief because of the
proceedings today and hope we can recover from this event that happened. I trust my people would
not order my troops to fire on unarmed civilians but, according to Vladimir, many of them were
carrying concealed weapons. I have to look after this great empire and I am the one person who
has been entrusted by God to rule these people. My soldiers must help me keep the peace whether
we like it or not. But it is terrible that so many died.
I did know of the petition but did not think the march would be so massive. From this event I have
planned to create October Manifesto which grants the freedom of speech, meeting and association
and if you were imprisioned for this you will be released with no trial. I hope that with this new
law it will not happen again.
.
Exemplar for internal assessment resource History 2.4B for Achievement Standard 91232
Grade Boundary: High Not Achieved
6.
For Achievement, interpretation of different perspectives of people is required.
Some broad understanding presented by this student is really more at a mid-level one
standard. Further explanation and depth of comment is needed for level two. Some
more-detailed supporting comments about workers’ concerns and details of the petition
and the strikes are the sorts of evidence needed for Achievement. The notions of bad
working conditions and the Tsar’s autocracy are sufficiently included to make the
evidence move in the right direction for Achievement.
In discussion of the Tsar’s perspectives more attention to actions taken as a result of
his perspectives would have helped to raise the standard towards the Achievement
level.
© Crown 2010
Student 6 page 1: Low Excellence
Father Gapon
Speech
Today’s the day that we see change that the factory and mill workers of Russia will recognise for
all the hard work that they will do and they will be given rewards for their hard work. Today we are
here to present a petition to the Tsar asking for changes within our factory workers. We want a
shorter working day, more pay and being able to have a say in who is ruling in Russia.
Today we want to march to winter palace and show the tsar that we are serious that we do want
change for the workers of our country. We want for the tsar to see that factory workers need to be
more appreciated by their follow Russians. The tsar has been informed of what we as Russia need
to continue being a strong independent country. We will march at two pm today we are there to
present the issues of the working and not to cause trouble for the tsar and his people, the only thing
that we ask is that in return the tsar listens to what Russia wants and is asking for. With all you
standing before there is no way that the tsar can ignore us now. The members of our country need
to see change in their lives, they need for the Tsar to care for their health, to want to see the best for
his follow Russians and to show he cares for each and every one of them. After today we hope that
the Tsar will have listened to us and will
Change the things that make Russia’s people unhappy.
Student 6 page 2: Low Excellence
Nicholas II
Diary entry
1903
They are asking for shorter days, for their health and safety in the factories to be the priority. There
just the workers of our country, the more they work the more money we earn as a country. They are
being treated with respect and if they can't see that then it is not my fault.
1904
Had to rise the cost of all essential items and the price of vodka had to rise incredibly. People are
losing jobs and complaining about their pay, but it's not my fault that we are trying to keep up with
the rest of the developing countries surrounding around us. We also have to pay for our solders
some how. They can't expect to work less hours but get paid more; this isn't the way the world
works. Father Gapon thinks that with all his strikes he can get the best of me, I don't think so, I
think he has forgotten that striking and marches are against the law, I'm the tsar and what I say goes
and the army are going to do with what I say and are going to protect Russia and make sure that it
stays the same harmless country and the when I'm no longer tsar my son will have my position.
1905
It's been a whole year since I last wrote in here and what a year it has been. Father Gapon still
continues to cause an upright and is trying to get me out of my job, but sorry to Father Gapon but
I'm actually enjoying my job and am not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.
They marched upon the winter place thinking that would change my mind. They had a petition
making demands for a shorter working day and more pay. They actually thought they would get to
talk to me! My heart goes out to the members of Russia who lost their lives in the march. It was not
my intention for this to have happened and it is a disgrace that it not.