Provisional Government

Temporary US Government
U.S. officials confirming the existence of a government capable of acting in the aftermath of the terrorist massacres
Organization type	Military/Civilian Council
Status	inactive
Affiliation	United States of America
Description	Liberty and Justice for All E Pluribus Unum means One from many
Head	Provisional Government

Following the attacks in Washington D.C. and under assistance of the National Guard, a provisional government of the United States is formed that declares a "State of National Emergency".. In all storylines, this new government uses martial law to quickly enact gender-related and other discriminatory policies characteristic for the ideology of the "Sons of Jacob", which implies its members are loyal - or perhaps identical - to the top management of the group ("Committee").

History

Martial Law

While the pre-Gileadean American government enacted some pro-natalist policies, the provisional government passed laws which banned women from owning property, finances or having a job. Furthermore, they outlawed divorces and same-sex marriage. Characters in the show suspect only at this point that martial law wasn't enacted to chase terrorists since "maybe there never were any terrorists".

Replaced by the Gilead Leadership

 See also: Laws in Gilead, Social Classes

After establishing a patriarchal, theocratic regime with its own paramilitary forces (known as Angels and Guardians) and a new body of law, the new regime proclaimed the establishment of Republic of Gilead at some point and began to detain and enslave fertile women as "Handmaids". It moved quickly to consolidate its power and reorganize society along a new militarized, hierarchical regime of Christianity-inspired social and religious fanaticism among its newly created social classes.

Other Mentions in the Storyline

In an article of the Boston Globe detailing the aftermath of the terrorist massacres, a group of civil servants is quoted as saying that "the government will continue to function." The statement corresponds to a TV announcement mentioned in the novel, where the population is urged to "keep calm" after the massacres since "everything is under control". The government is quoted similarly in The Testaments (see "Van").

In "A Woman's Place", the new government holds a meeting for "security discussions" with participation by the Commanders Waterford and Putnam, from which Mrs. Waterford as a woman is shut out.

U.S. Government in Exile

At some point following the takeover, a government loyal to the former United States that also was part of the Provisional Government who fled the lower 48 was established in Anchorage, Alaska . No leader is known but likely a President was elected in the remaining 2 states by 2016 and by American refugees under laws allowing vote from Abroad. Possibly US territories were allow to vote for President to show they are part of the real USA. A council of Government is a current substitution to an elected legislature where it votes on issues including the budget.