All ages and races welcome, over 900 people occupied an idealistic socialist community in the jungles of Guyana called Jonestown. In November 1978, the entire population had perished. What was the purpose of Jonestown and what influences did Jim Jones have on his followers?
As the People's Temple grew during the 1960s, Jones became obsessed with the idea of Marxism and he started to preach about an imminent nuclear apocalypse during the Cold War. He gave a date on which the 'apocalypse' would occur, July 15th 1967, and implied that after this apocalypse, a socialist utopia would exist on Earth. This utopia would be situated in what would become Jonestown. Jones wanted to create a harmonious communist community and felt that the world was corrupt and unjust. He convinced his followers that the US capitalist system was evil. Jones was scrutinized by the media and he was accused of financial fraud as well as child abuse within his church. He was paranoid that he would be captured by the US authorities and he was also worried that the tax-exempt status of the People's Temple in America would be revoked. This was the purpose of Jonestown.
There were a few aspects which led to the decision to relocate Jones' following to Guyana, South America. Firstly, it was a country …show more content…
Many of his followers had been addicted to drugs before joining the Temple, were homeless, or had been fleeing from abusive situations. The People's Temple appeared to be a refuge where they could change and rebuild their lives. In his speeches, Jim Jones promoted his image of an ideal society as well as his role as a campaigner against injustice. He is quoted as saying, "I represent total equality, a society where people have all things in common. Where there is no rich or poor. Where there are no races. Wherever there are people struggling for justice and righteousness, there I am. There I am
As the People's Temple grew during the 1960s, Jones became obsessed with the idea of Marxism and he started to preach about an imminent nuclear apocalypse during the Cold War. He gave a date on which the 'apocalypse' would occur, July 15th 1967, and implied that after this apocalypse, a socialist utopia would exist on Earth. This utopia would be situated in what would become Jonestown. Jones wanted to create a harmonious communist community and felt that the world was corrupt and unjust. He convinced his followers that the US capitalist system was evil. Jones was scrutinized by the media and he was accused of financial fraud as well as child abuse within his church. He was paranoid that he would be captured by the US authorities and he was also worried that the tax-exempt status of the People's Temple in America would be revoked. This was the purpose of Jonestown.
There were a few aspects which led to the decision to relocate Jones' following to Guyana, South America. Firstly, it was a country …show more content…
Many of his followers had been addicted to drugs before joining the Temple, were homeless, or had been fleeing from abusive situations. The People's Temple appeared to be a refuge where they could change and rebuild their lives. In his speeches, Jim Jones promoted his image of an ideal society as well as his role as a campaigner against injustice. He is quoted as saying, "I represent total equality, a society where people have all things in common. Where there is no rich or poor. Where there are no races. Wherever there are people struggling for justice and righteousness, there I am. There I am