Which of the following led to a weakened Soviet government?
A.
failed War in Afghanistan
B.
the Cuban Missile Crisis
C.
negotiations between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev
D.
the U.S. landing of astronauts on the moon
A. failed War in Afghanistan
The correct answer is A. failed War in Afghanistan.
The failed War in Afghanistan in the 1980s significantly weakened the Soviet government. The Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 to support the communist government led to a costly and protracted conflict. The war drained the Soviet economy, strained military resources, and led to international condemnation. The Afghan resistance, known as the Mujahideen, received support from the United States, Pakistan, and other Western countries. This assistance further intensified the conflict and made it difficult for the Soviet Union to achieve its objectives. Ultimately, the Soviet Union's failure to establish control in Afghanistan contributed to a sense of defeat and frustration among its citizens, which further eroded support for the government and contributed to its eventual collapse in 1991.