Soviet Union Disintegration Events in Chronological Order

To understand the disintegration of the Soviet Union, it is essential to place key events in their correct sequence. Below is an analysis of the provided events and their historical timeline:

Event Analysis and Timeline

1. Boris Yeltsin's Appointment in Moscow (1985)

   Boris Yeltsin's political career included significant roles within Moscow. He was elected as the First Secretary of the Moscow City Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) in 1985. This position placed him in a key leadership role within the party apparatus in the capital city and marked an early stage of his rise as a prominent reformer during the Gorbachev era, foreshadowing his later challenging of central Soviet authority.

2. Declaration on Warsaw Pact Members' Freedom (Late 1989)

   A significant shift in Soviet foreign policy occurred when the USSR announced that Warsaw Pact members were free to determine their own future, signaling the end of Soviet interference in Eastern European affairs. This policy change was articulated by Mikhail Gorbachev around late 1989, notably in his speech in Berlin in October 1989. This declaration effectively dismantled the Soviet Union's control over Eastern Europe, allowing for independent political developments in Warsaw Pact nations. The Pact itself was formally dissolved later, in July 1991.

3. Boris Yeltsin Elected President of Russia (June 1991)

   In a critical move towards republican sovereignty, Boris Yeltsin was elected as the first President of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) on June 12, 1991. This election significantly bolstered Yeltsin's political standing and that of the Russian Federation, positioning it as a distinct entity with its own elected leadership, separate from the central Soviet government.

4. Establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (December 1991)

   As the Soviet Union weakened and republics declared independence, a new framework for cooperation was needed. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was officially formed on December 8, 1991, by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. This agreement marked the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the creation of a new association of sovereign states.

Establishing the Chronological Sequence

Based on the dates of these events, the correct chronological order is:

• 1985: (A) Boris Yeltsin is appointed as the head of the Communist Party in Moscow.
• Late 1989: (B) Soviet Union declares that the Warsaw Pact members are free to decide their own future.
• June 12, 1991: (C) Boris Yeltsin becomes the President of Russia.
• December 8, 1991: (D) The Commonwealth of Independent States is established.

Therefore, the correct sequence of events is (A), (B), (C), (D).