BACKGROUND Jim Jones was the leader of a “religious” group called the “Peoples Temple Full Gospel Church,” that started around the mid-1950s. Initially more of a Marxist commune than a Christian organization. In the 1960s, Jones moved away from Marxism, and instead preached of an impending nuclear apocalypse on July 15 th, After the “apocalypse” happened, a socialist paradise would be created, and “Eden” would be in Redwood Valley, CA. *Fun fact:* Although he was a verifiable lunatic, Jones did support racial integration.

JONESTOWN In the years following, Jones abandoned any pretense of Christianity; said he only used religion to legitimize his views: “Those who remained drugged with the opiate of religion had to be brought to the light—socialism.” Paranoid of U.S. central intelligence and afraid that the tax-exempt status of the temple would be evoked. In 1974, created “Jonestown” in Guyana, South America. Not a nice place—overcrowded, limited fresh drinking water, long working hours for Temple members, etc.

“DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID.” In 1978, Congressman Leo Ryan went to Jonestown, and volunteered to take anyone back to the States with him. Vans were attacked on the way to the airport by loyal Temple members. Many died, including Congressman Ryan. Jones claimed that Jonestown was no longer safe. Only solution was a “revolutionary act of suicide.” Convinced people to drink grape “flavor aid” laced with cyanide and valium. 918 people died in total.