Question

question 1 of 18
which event best completes the timeline to show the sequence of events in
the collapse of the soviet union?

timeline: ? (1989), a failed coup against gorbachev briefly pauses the transition to democracy in the soviet union (1991), the russian federation is formed, and boris yeltsin is its first democratically elected president (1991)

options:
a. the success of anti - communist revolutions in eastern europe leads to an overthrow of gorbachev’s government.
b. the failure of anti - communist revolutions in eastern europe strengthens the communist government of the soviet union.
c. the failure of anti - communist revolutions in eastern europe leads to an overthrow of gorbachev’s government.
d. the success of anti - communist revolutions in eastern europe leads to a move toward democracy in the soviet union.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the timeline and historical context of the Soviet Union's collapse:

1. In 1989, anti - communist revolutions in Eastern Europe (like the fall of the Berlin Wall) were successful. These successes influenced the Soviet Union, pushing it toward democracy.
2. Option A is incorrect because the anti - communist revolutions in Eastern Europe did not overthrow Gorbachev's government directly.
3. Option B is wrong as the anti - communist revolutions in Eastern Europe were successful, not failed, and they weakened, not strengthened, the Soviet communist government.
4. Option C is incorrect because the anti - communist revolutions in Eastern Europe were successful, and they did not lead to the overthrow of Gorbachev's government in 1989.
5. Option D is correct. The success of anti - communist revolutions in Eastern Europe in 1989 created a climate that led the Soviet Union to move toward democracy, which aligns with the later events like the 1991 coup attempt and the formation of the Russian Federation.

Answer:

D. The success of anti - communist revolutions in Eastern Europe leads to a move toward democracy in the Soviet Union.