Question

Who was the President of the Soviet Union at the time of its disintegration?

• A. Lenin
• B. Stalin
• C. Nikita Khrushchev
• D. Mikhail Gorbachev

Hint:

Gorbachev's leadership, including his reforms, allowed greater political openness, which ultimately contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Context of Soviet Union's Disintegration
The Soviet Union formally disintegrated on December 26, 1991, ending the era of communist rule in the region. This moment marked the end of the Cold War and the establishment of independent states from the former Soviet territories.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options
- (A) Lenin: Incorrect. Lenin was the first leader of the Soviet Union but passed away in 1924, long before the disintegration in 1991.
- (B) Stalin: Incorrect. Joseph Stalin was the leader during and after World War II but had passed away in 1953, decades before the disintegration.
- (C) Nikita Khrushchev: Incorrect. Khrushchev was the leader of the Soviet Union during the 1950s and early 1960s but was replaced in 1964. He did not oversee the disintegration.
- (D) Mikhail Gorbachev: Correct. Mikhail Gorbachev was the President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during its disintegration. His policies of perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) played a crucial role in the dissolution of the USSR.
Step 3: Conclusion
Mikhail Gorbachev is the correct answer because he was in charge when the Soviet Union officially disintegrated.
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (D) Mikhail Gorbachev}} \]