The term "Free State" can refer to various historical and geographical contexts. One notable example is the Free State province in South Africa, which was established in the late 19th century. It was originally known as the Orange Free State and was a Boer republic before becoming part of the British Empire. Another significant reference is the Free State of Jones, a historical county in Mississippi during the American Civil War. It was known for its resistance against the Confederacy, where local farmers and soldiers formed a community that opposed slavery and fought for their rights.