The first independence movements among the soviet republics during gorbachev's rule occurred in the baltic area of

The correct answer is Lithuania

They became the first soviet state that became independent after their supreme court declared that they would be a free state of Lithuania. There were high tensions because the Soviets responded with economic sanctions and there was also fear of a full military intervention, but it didn't happen as there were only isolated cases of violence in the end and it showed how others can do it too.