Question

question 3 of 10

democratic elections were held in _____ in 1990 after members of the communist government voluntarily stepped down from power.

a. east germany
b. hungary
c. bulgaria
d. czechoslovakia

Explanation:

Analyze the historical context of the question

The question asks about a specific Eastern European country where democratic elections were held in 1990 after members of the communist government voluntarily stepped down from power. This occurred during the collapse of the Eastern Bloc.

Examine the transition in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the long-serving communist leader Todor Zhivkov was deposed by his own party members in November 1989. The Bulgarian Communist Party voluntarily gave up its monopoly on power, reorganized itself as the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and agreed to hold free, multi-party democratic elections in June 1990.

Compare with other options

• East Germany: The transition involved the fall of the Berlin Wall and rapid reunification with West Germany rather than a simple voluntary step-down leading to independent 1990 elections as described.
• Hungary: Hungary's transition involved round-table talks and a gradual transition, but Bulgaria is the classic textbook example of the communist leadership voluntarily stepping down and initiating the 1990 democratic elections.
• Czechoslovakia: The Velvet Revolution involved massive public protests that forced the communist regime out, rather than a voluntary step-down from within.

Answer:

• (A) East Germany
• (B) Hungary
• (C) Bulgaria (Correct answer)
• (D) Czechoslovakia