The Republic of Gilead, colloquially referred to as simply Gilead or the "Divine Republic", is the totalitarian, theonomic, and neo-Puritanical regime that takes over most of the continental United States of America in The Handmaid's Tale.
The Film shows Gilead to be a patriarchal and white supremacist society. The Republic of Gilead came to power after its soldiers massacred almost the entire US Government while impersonating Soviet Special Forces and radical Black Panthers. Afterwards, a Provisional Government of white men took over declaring that the attacks were the responsibility of the Soviet Union and domestic actors. They then declared martial law, outlawing Communist parties and suspending membership in political groups they claim to be hostile to the country. They then reintroduce segregation on a extreme scale and have all non whites fired, their property seized and outlaw interracial marriage. They ban women from the workplace and take away all their rights. They then nationalize all businesses and seize all private property. Lastly, the Government annulled all second marriages.
Its rise was accepted by a majority of white males as border security was easily tightened. A border wall was constructed quickly, possibly using construction companies it had seized. They employed slave labor, emptying all the prisons of men, using enslaved non white males and US soldiers that didn't take an oath to Gilead.
The people then started a uprising, with remaining survivors of the US Government, against Gilead.
Gilead in the film granted honorary white status to those from Japan and other Asian nations.
In the film Commander Fred (Film) stated that he took part in the Sons of Jacob because he hated gays, communists and feminists.