The Republic of Gilead
The government of the United States was overthrown several years before the opening of the novel. The country has been taken over by Christian fundamentalists who have abrogated the constitution and founded a theocratic state. This Republic of Gilead is ruled through Biblical fundamentalism and rigid enforcement of social roles vaguely resembling Dominionism. Most citizens, and all women, have been stripped of their freedoms. This revolution succeeded because terrorist acts caused the populace to become fearful, suspend criticism of the government, and accept "temporary" measures that became permanent.
This theocracy was planned by conservative Christians, based on their interpretation of Biblical law. The state religion, which draws on an evangelical version of Christianity, is the only system of belief that is allowed. The rulers believe they have a cultural mandate to create and govern this new society, aspects of which are based on harsh interpretations of the Old Testament. For example, the most severe form of punishment is public stoning to death, the so-called "particution" (participatory execution), similar to justice under the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The military dictatorship has proclaimed martial law as "hordes of guerrillas" are said to roam the countryside. All those who threaten the ideology of Gilead, and those who will not repent — political and religious dissidents, pro-choice advocates (called "abortionists"), and homosexuals (who are accused of "gender treachery") — are executed by hanging and their bodies displayed at "The Wall". Those who do not conform to the new norms are pressed into service as servants or deported to "the colonies", unspecified regions where pollution has reached toxic levels, where they presumably face hard labour and an early death. Women must submit to men and no longer have any civil rights.