Which of the following statements is incorrect?

1) In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
2) In 1988, the independence movement began in Lithuania and later spread to Estonia and Latvia.
3) In 1991, the Communist Party hardliners staged a successful coup against Gorbachev.
4) In 1990, the Russian parliament declared its independence from the Soviet Union.

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

3

Answer: In 1991, the Communist Party hardliners staged a successful coup against Gorbachev.

All other statements are correct except 3rd. The statement in option 3 is incorrect. In August 1991, there was indeed an abortive coup staged by Communist Party hardliners against Gorbachev, but it was unsuccessful and did not lead to the removal of Gorbachev from power.

1) In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
2) In 1988, the independence movement began in Lithuania and later spread to Estonia and Latvia.
3) In 1991, the Communist Party hardliners staged an 'unsuccessful' coup against Gorbachev.
4) In 1990, the Russian parliament declared its independence from the Soviet Union.