C) Independent countries
Explanation:
The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union had gone on since the end of World War II. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev assumed power and began to change the Soviet Union. He called his reforms glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). Ideas and information were opened up for discussion between the two superpowers. Gorbachev subsequently initiated capitalistic reforms of the Soviet economic system, removed Soviet troops from Afghanistan, and pursued agreements with the United States concerning arms and trade.
President Reagan initially didn't trust Gorbachev because of the long history of deceit by the Soviet Union. However, President Reagan ultimately welcomed Gorbachev's reforms and he met with Gorbachev several times. The two of them agreed to eliminate certain types of Soviet and American missiles in Europe.
In addition to reaching agreements with the United States, Gorbachev encouraged the Soviet satellites in Eastern Europe to also adopt reforms. This development paved the way for major changes in Eastern Europe.
Within a matter of months, Communist governments were swept out of power in Eastern Europe. The destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was the symbolic point for the end of Communism in Eastern Europe. The wall had been the most significant symbol of the Cold War. Its destruction united East and West Berlin, and East Germany and West Germany became one nation again in 1990.
Within the Soviet Union, however, there was a large group of hardline Communists who were opposed to Gorbachev's reforms. They attempted to take control of the Soviet Union and confined Gorbachev at his country home.
Gorbachev was quickly restored to power, but the republics of the Soviet Union decided that they did not want a central government over them. Instead, they agreed to form a loose association of independent countries.
On December 25, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the last leader of the Soviet Union, and on December 26, the Soviet Union was formally dissolved.
