The Peoples Temple
Jones raised money to fund his own church that would spread his Marxist idea. He saw the way African Americans were treated as outcasts in society as he was an outcast himself. He decided the best way to spread his beliefs would be through the church. That would the Peoples Temple. It was originally created for interracial gatherings for the homeless and sick.The Peoples Temple was formed in Indianapolis, Indiana in mid-1950s. Jones managed to secure an affiliation with the Disciples of Christ. With this new association, it increased its membership and spread Jones' influence. He used the Peoples Temple to spread his message that combined elements of Christianity with socialist politics and an emphasis on racial equality and the First Amendment.
In 1972, Jones moved the Peoples Temple to San Francisco and opened another church in Los Angeles. The New West magazine raised suspicion about illegal activities within the temple and after several scandals and investigation Jones began planning arrangements for the Peoples Temple. In 1974, Jones and his followers moved to the jungles of Guyana, South America where he founded and named a closed settlement Jonestown after himself.
Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America. This country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela. Guyana is the third smallest country in South America, and the population comprises of Indians, Blacks, Chinese, Portuguese European, and indigenous Amerindians. Guyana is the only country in South America to have English as its official language. It is unsure why Jones chose Guyana for the Peoples Temple it might be because it was not well known.
In 1972, Jones moved the Peoples Temple to San Francisco and opened another church in Los Angeles. The New West magazine raised suspicion about illegal activities within the temple and after several scandals and investigation Jones began planning arrangements for the Peoples Temple. In 1974, Jones and his followers moved to the jungles of Guyana, South America where he founded and named a closed settlement Jonestown after himself.
Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America. This country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela. Guyana is the third smallest country in South America, and the population comprises of Indians, Blacks, Chinese, Portuguese European, and indigenous Amerindians. Guyana is the only country in South America to have English as its official language. It is unsure why Jones chose Guyana for the Peoples Temple it might be because it was not well known.