Jonestown Shooting Research Paper

The congregation of the People’s Temple, devoted to Jim Jones, were led to death on November 18, 1978. Nearly 915 people died and only a few made it out alive. The motive behind this act of unfortunate violence is still unknown. Many believe it was in the hands of Jim Jones himself and others are suspicious there was a cover up. The death of over 900 people has sparked many others attention as to what really happened in Jonestown. Jones told his congregation they could idolize him anyway they needed to (Killing Fields). Originally, the cult was for better life and to live as socialists, but in the end Jim Jones brainwashed his followers. Different from the beginning Jones became erratic, domineering, and harsh (Jonestown Massacre 262). Although members found comfort in Jones’ diverse family, it was all in their head (Remembering Jonestown). He captured many people’s attention by saying he could cure their illness and cancer (Jonestown). Later on, a former member, Deborah Layton said “There

Shortly after the cult moved to Guyana to get away from negative attention Leo Ryan, a U.S. representative, felt the need to come investigate the community (Jonestown). Many members decided to leave with the congressmen but did not make it far. They were soon killed by men Jim Jones had sent after them (Killing Fields). Back at the community the paranoid leader gathered his people to arrange an act of suicide (Jonestown). Supposedly, the children got drops of a deathly mixture in their throats and the adults drank it. It turns out that this deathly mixture was potassium cyanide mixed with Kool-Aid (Jonestown 263). Jim Jones is said to be found with a gunshot to his head with the gun lying next to him. In result of the poisoning, “most were dead within 5 minutes” (Jonestown Massacre). Surprisingly, this is not the only theory concerning this tragedy at