The collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1991 is widely regarded as a watershed moment in international relations. As the primary successor state, Russia underwent a profound political and economic transition. The disintegration of the Soviet state structure is frequently analyzed as the definitive collapse of a superpower, fundamentally altering the global geopolitical landscape.

The Soviet Union's collapse was primarily driven by systemic economic stagnation, characterized by a lack of productivity incentives and an over-reliance on heavy industry and military spending. While political reforms like Glasnost and Perestroika were attempted, the underlying economic model failed to adapt to modern global demands, leading to internal instability and eventual dissolution.

Boris Yeltsin, as the first President of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, played a pivotal role in the political maneuvering that led to the dissolution of the USSR. His actions, including the Belovezha Accords, effectively challenged the central authority of the Soviet government, thereby accelerating the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Helsinki Accords, signed in 1975, were a significant diplomatic effort during the Cold War aimed at reducing tensions between the Soviet and Western blocs. By securing the recognition of post-World War II national boundaries and promoting human rights, the agreement served as a landmark attempt to foster cooperation and stability in Europe, representing a key moment in the period of detente.

Wilhelm II (William II) was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, reigning from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. His foreign policy, characterized by aggressive expansionism and naval buildup, is often cited as a contributing factor to the tensions that led to World War I. His abdication marked the end of the Hohenzollern monarchy and the birth of the Weimar Republic.

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957. This event marked the beginning of the Space Age and significantly intensified the technological competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, influencing global strategic perceptions.

The provided answer key identifies option A as the correct choice; however, historical consensus indicates that World War II significantly expanded roles for women in the American workforce. This suggests a potential factual discrepancy in the source material regarding the 'EXCEPT' condition. The war effort necessitated massive female labor participation, marking a transformative period for women's employment in industrial and defense sectors.

The Paris Peace Treaties were signed on February 10, 1947, following the Paris Peace Conference. These treaties allowed the former Axis powers of Italy, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Finland to resume their responsibilities as sovereign states in international affairs and to qualify for membership in the United Nations. This marked a formal diplomatic conclusion to the hostilities involving these specific nations in the European theater of World War II.

The Soviet intervention in Afghanistan began in late December 1979. The deployment of the 40th Army was a pivotal moment in Cold War history, leading to a decade-long conflict that significantly altered the geopolitical landscape of Central and South Asia, eventually contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of regional militant movements.

The Marshall Plan, officially the European Recovery Program, was enacted by the United States Congress in 1948. The aid was distributed over a four-year period, ending in 1952. This financial assistance was instrumental in the rapid economic recovery of Western Europe and laid the foundation for the subsequent economic prosperity and political stability of the region during the early Cold War period.