A spectacular event in the collapse of the Soviet Union that allowed for a freely elected government in Germany was the

The Berlin Wall being destructed.

Explanation:

When World War II finally ended, Germany got split up into two parts. West Germany was taken control by the Allies, while East Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union.

East Germany was run by a government that centered around communism, which overtime many people did not agree with. The citizens that resided in East Germany started leaving and going to West Germany. So many people started leaving that the government of East Germany started worrying about it and decided that they needed to take action.

This lead East German leaders to build the Berlin Wall, which separated West and East Germany from each other. If any East Germans were caught trying to move to the West, they would be imprisoned or even shot on the spot.

Eventually, people from across the globe caught word of this and wanted to help free East German people from communist rule. United States President, Ronald Reagan gave a speech in which he clearly stated he wanted to tear down the Berlin Wall and free the people. A couple of years or so later, the Berlin wall finally got torn down and the collapse of the Soviet Union came with it. This freed Germany and could now obtain a freely elected government.

a. the astrolabe could determine the correct latitudinal location of the ship