Most people have at least heard of the Jonestown massacre — the mass murder-suicide that claimed over 900 lives. But the full story of how things spiraled to that point is far less widely known.
Here's the chain of events that led to one of history's most devastating tragedies.
Early Church
The Peoples Temple in Jonestown, Guyana grew out of a religious movement built on unconventional worldviews. Its roots trace back to the original Peoples Temple, which was established in 1955 with its home base in Indianapolis. Rev. Jim Jones eventually assumed leadership of the congregation, earning a reputation for his charitable work with the homeless and his outspoken commitment to human equality.
A Moving People
Driven by fears of nuclear war, Jones relocated his 900-member church to California in 1965. Following this move, he cultivated a reputation as a prophet among his followers. His teachings framed the Divine as synonymous with love, which he connected directly to socialist principles within his church. During this period, he also allegedly started funneling church funds into his personal accounts.
Growing increasingly paranoid that scrutiny of the temple's suspicious activities would eventually catch up with him the following year, Jones transplanted his entire congregation to a remote settlement in Guyana close to the Venezuelan border — a place he named after himself.
Power Hunger Begins To Strike
Jones kept up his preaching at the compound until November 1978. By then, he had developed a pattern of seizing passports, stripping members of their money, and issuing deadly threats whenever he deemed it necessary. It was at this point that the U.S. government launched an investigation into the welfare of Jones' American followers, sending Congressman Leo Ryan to inspect conditions on the ground. Ryan barely had a chance to survey the site before he and his party were gunned down by Temple guards upon arriving in Guyana.
Drink Up
In the wake of the killings, Jones commanded his 900+ obedient followers to consume Kool-Aid laced with cyanide. The victims were fully aware that what they were drinking was essentially poison, yet because death didn't come instantly, Jones managed to convince everyone that he hadn't actually poisoned their drinks at all.
"This was only a test, but the time for you to die by your own hand is not too far off," said Temple rebel Deborah Layton in court, recounting Jones' words after the cyanide had been consumed.
Within hours, the deception unraveled as people began collapsing one by one, dropping face down onto the ground. Jones took his own life later that day when his crime was committed. Jones took his own life later that day when his crime was committed.