Jonestown. The settlement, which was founded in the Guian jungle by members of the People’s Temple sect led by charismatic leader Jim Jones, became a symbol of terror.

The sect was established in the 1950s in Indianapolis and initially preached ideas of racial equality and the fight against poverty. In time, the activity moved to California, where Jones gained thousands of supporters, mostly African American and those seeking alternatives to the traditional Church and the political community. Jones gradually strengthened his leadership position, and his authority became indisputable, or even absolute.

Guyana. The place of terror

Increasing controversy and numerous allegations of abuse and manipulation led Jones to flee the United States. In 1977, he and more than a thousand cult members emigrated to South American Guyana, where he founded the utopian settlement of Jonestown. The settlers were promised a paradise on earth, without racism or exploitation. In fact, living in the jungle involved hard work, indoctrination, and Jones' complete control of the faithful. In Guyana, the sect had more than a thousand members, mostly African Americans and families in difficult circumstances. Surrounded by the jungle, the settlement was practically isolated from the world.

Policy intervention

Jones held complete control over the everyday life of the inhabitants and their access to information. Adults and children had to work on plantations many hours a day, yet they all lived in poverty. The communication of sect members with the outside world was strictly limited. For all violations of the rules were corporal punishment, including electroshocks and imprisonment. Jones kept telling his followers that they were facing racism and persecution outside the settlement.

In November 1978, American Congressman Leo Ryan arrived in Jonestown, accompanied by journalists and relatives of sect members. The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation on the spot after numerous alarming signals concerning human rights violations. Some Jonestown residents asked Ryan to help leave the settlement, which caused Jones to panic. During the evacuation on the Port Kaituma runway, armed followers of People’s Temple attacked Ryan’s delegation, killing the congressman and several others.

Massacre in Jonestown

On November 18, 1978, after the bombers returned to Jonestown, Jim Jones gathered everyone in the main square and issued an order to carry out a so-called "Revolutionary Suicide". He spoke through a megaphone and told people that destruction was coming, and death was the way to liberation. Under the threat of weapons and subject to strong mental pressure, cult members – including hundreds of children – drank a drink prepared from insecticide and pharmacological additives, including sedatives. The phrase ‘drinking the Kool-Aid”, meaning "Drink Kool-Aid", entered permanently into English as a reference to dangerous following irrational ideas or leaders.

Adults were also forced to commit suicide. Some of them tried to escape, but the guards did not allow escape. The number of victims exceeded 900, including about 300 children. Jim Jones himself died that day from a gunshot, likely committed suicide or was shot by one of his trusted supporters.

Only a small number of people survived the disaster. It is estimated that about 80 people survived, but there is a scenario about the absence of some cult members at the scene.