The People's Temple Research Paper

He preyed on their need for change and he offered a colorless environment to them before the civil rights movement kicked into full swing. They jumped at the opportunity because it wasn’t being offered anywhere other than Jones’ church, The People’s Temple. Jones pushed an integrated society which is what drew in a large percentage of his following, along with its ability to push prejudices to the side and focus on faith. Catherine Abbott took notice of his recruitment patterns and said, “He brought so many young college kids, so many old black women in, so many people from diverse backgrounds who realized that there was something bigger than themselves.” (Abbott) Not only did Jones have ideas that interested people, but he was just an all-around charismatic man. He was able to make people think that he cared for them and their well-being, he helped people when they needed, and he was just a like-able guy.

The Jonestown Massacre was one of America’s greatest tragedies in history. Due to extreme Racism and persecution innocent people were driven to create a socialistic society only to realize there is no such thing. There are many causes and effects to the event of Jonestown massacre. Some examples of those causes and effects are the background, events, responses, and efforts. Jim Jones and the people of Peoples temple did not set out to be one of america's worst massacres, they just want equality and to escape racism in the U.S. when a leader with a lot of responsibility, lets the power go to his head and it resulted in failure.

The textbook and the diary entry are both similar on how the massacre began, but the textbook states that the soldiers came to assist White, ending in the soldier being surrounded by the crowd and one of the soldiers being knocked down. The soldier that was knocked down, got up and fired his musket according to the textbook, but the diary entry stated that Captain Preston commanded the soldiers to fire. The textbook does not state anything about the soldiers being immediately removed, but states that the redcoats left for Canada.

3. Fifty Patriotes pretended to surrender in order to get close enough for good shots at the soldiers. They killed one sergeant and wounded several other men. The soldiers were enraged. They killed large numbers of Patriotes and burned the village.

The Goliad Massacre, also referred to as The Goliad Execution, was the brutal shooting of Texas soldiers by Mexican forces. On March 20th, 1836, Colonel Fannin and his army unconditionally surrendered to General Urrea’s forces the day after the Battle of Coleto Creek. They were taken to the Presidio chapel in Goliad and were kept there for a week. Most of the men thought that since they had fully surrendered to the Mexicans, they would be taken and eventually brought back to their homes. Unfortunately, that was not the case. On March 27th, 1836, the Texan men were marched out to different roads in town, believing they were on missions to gather wood or to herd cattle. Slowly, the men realized their fate as they were told to stop walking a half-mile away from the fort. The men were then all shot by the Mexican forces and the remaining people who were in the chapel were killed as well.

Throughout Jim Jones childhood and adulthood Jim Jones was a very religious person which changed his experience towards many things in his lifetime. Jim Jones was born on May 13, 1931 and throughout his childhood “he was a strong student, especially in public speaking, but he had few friends. His overpowering zest turned off some, and he, in turn, disliked many typical teenage boy activities such as sports, and objected what he believed to be sinful behavior, such as dancing and drinking” (Biography.com Editors). Ever since his childhood, his religious beliefs had taken over his body and viewed many things against him throughout his

At one level, the deaths at Jonestown can be viewed as the product of obedience, of people complying with the orders of a leader and reacting to the threat of force. In the Peoples Temple, whatever Jim Jones commanded, the members did. When he gathered the community at the pavilion and the poison was brought out, the populace was surrounded

As an individual in the middle of Twentieth century Joseph McCarthy had a rather intense effect on society. He started the movement that bears his name. McCarthyism was the movement that caused many changes in the lives of the people of the 1950's. McCarthy headed the charge against communism in the United States after the second World War. Through his actions many people were accused of being communists and hastilly judged to be so because of the general feeling toward communism. What causes such an incredible uprising. What caused so many people to rally behind, in many cases, unfounded accusations that would ruin other peoples lives unjustly? What caused not just a movement but the movement

By the time of the final ritual, opposition or escape had become almost impossible for most of the members. Yet even then, it is doubtful that many wanted to resist or leave. Most had come to believe in Jones -- one woman's body was found with a message scribbled on her arm during the final hours: "Jim Jones is the only one" (Cahill, 1979). They seemed to have accepted the necessity, and even the beauty, of dying -- just before the ritual began, a guard approached Charles Garry, one of the Temples hired attorneys, and exclaimed, "Its a great moment... we all die" (Lifton, 1979). A survivor of Jonestown, who happened to be away at the dentist, was interviewed a year following the deaths:

In the 1970s America was becoming progressively agitated in various categories that included, the civil rights movement, antiwar, and “A New Right.” Each which only increased the followers of Jones when speaking in favor of the people. Jim Jones and his sermons as a reverend and a leader of the Peoples Church consisted of attacks toward segregation, on the abuses of the American capitalistic system, along with antiwar feelings. This only furthered his congregation, gaining more followers that consisted of mainly African Americans. The 1970s consisted of people looking for a deeper meaning and with Jim Jones promising a utopian community, they thought they found it. He took advantage of the people’s weaknesses allowing them to trust in him

The changes society had undertaken during the time was a vast advantage to Jim Jones and allowed him to gain followers for the Peoples' Temple. Because of the war in Vietnam and racial tension people felt a strong calling to take action, especially the youth of America. Whether in protest, service, or community support they wanted to be involved in a fight that would create an impact. Jim Jones wanted youth in his church since they were more open-minded and he catered to their desires to be a part of something greater. Jones was for the black man and integration. His family was integrated and so was the Peoples' Temple. He believed firmly in activism and made some contributions to politicians in their campaigning by having members of his congregation at rallies, protests, and even going door to door. It was a politicians dream ensemble due to of the diversity of age and ethnicity. They were enthusiastic to be there, always on time, and there where so many members willing to be whatever was needed . Jones benefited from his congregations activism by becoming the appointed chairman of housing while in San Francisco. Parts of the social

: The structures that make up the Temple of Heaven are meant to signify the relationship between heaven and earth, more importantly the connection between the emperors and God. The through in It was believed that offerings made by the emperor to the Gods, would bring a flourishing harvests, as he was believed to be the closest being to god. The structure itself was built so majestically to represent it descending into heaven. The main ceremonies that were held within the hall were all on the basis of worshipping heaven and so it was believed by doing so, it would be seen as favorable to the gods, enough to be blessed with an abundance supply of harvests such as grain. The ceremonial interior of the hall was built in such a way as to emphasize

Hunt depicts a gathering of the Judaism religion in a temple in his painting "the findings of the savior in the temple". On the left side, there seems to be the rabbis who are reacting to a meeting between two people situated in the middle of the room. The facial expressions of the rabbis are all different. Some seem surprised, some are intrigued and others, angry. In my opinion the two people in the heart of the meeting seems to be Mary and Joseph from the Christianity religion and the rabbis are awaiting an answer concerning their religious beliefs. The kids and women also shown in the painting are in my opinion to support the fact that it the meeting is not only a religious matter but it touches all the community, in fact, religion brings

The temple of God is a sacred place of worship filled with the awesome presence of the Lord. God designed two types of temple. The first one is made from materials (structures of heaven and church buildings on earth). And the second type of temple is constructed through His breath (the body of Angels and Man).

Culture can shape or form the way that any person thinks.For me, culture is also very important. I have my family, which even though I moved around alot, has always been there for me. Also is religion because no matter where I go it is always present and has always confused me. The last thing is video games, for all of the times that I have played them.Of everything that makes me me, culture is a huge deciding factor.