Extra Credit Written Assignment After Viewing The Film Jones

Extra Credit Written Assignmentafter Viewing The Filmjonestown The Li

Extra Credit Written Assignment after viewing the film Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples’ Temple. Write an essay of words in length that analyzes the Jonestown tragedy according to the historical and cultural influences of the 1970s. What is going on historically in the 1950s-1970s that creates so much social upheaval in America? Why are so many people in the 1970s hungry for new religious answers to their problems and how does Jim Jones offer them an answer? While it is an extreme example, how is Peoples’ Temple part of the religious cultural trend of the 1970s and how does it compare to other religious movements of the time?

Paper Requirements: Write in 3rd person voice. DO NOT use 1st person voice. Use Arial or Helvetica font, 12 point size. Margins should be 1" on all four sides of your essay. Name block is single-spaced. The rest of the essay is double-spaced. Do not add extra space after carriage returns or any other paper stretching method. Remember, the word count (words) is the requirement, so trying to stretch paper is pointless. When you turn a paper in electronically, it gives a word count. Short papers will receive a significant point deduction. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and proper essay formatting count. You should be able to write a well-organized essay, which includes an introduction with a solid thesis, a well-organized and cohesive body, and a proper conclusion.

No outside sources are necessary or desired for this assignment. If you make the choice to use outside sources, you will likely receive a penalty. Failure to cite sources properly will constitute academic dishonesty, so if you do use outside sources, make sure you cite! Double-check that you have properly cited your sources (including reference to the movie). You must include both the proper in-text citation notes and the bibliography (works cited page) in either MLA, APA, or Chicago-Turabian style.

Put your NAME, STUDENT ID, AND CLASS (History 146) on your paper in the top left corner. No cover sheet is necessary or desired.

Paper For Above instruction

The tragic events at Jonestown in 1978 stand as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between social upheaval, religious fervor, and cultural shifts that characterized the United States during the 1950s through the 1970s. This period was marked by significant transformations—civil rights movements, anti-war protests, economic fluctuations, and a widespread questioning of traditional authority—that created an environment ripe for religious experimentation and the rise of new spiritual movements. The influx of disillusioned Americans seeking spiritual guidance amidst societal chaos set the stage for Jim Jones’s Peoples’ Temple to attract vulnerable followers craving hope, belonging, and answers to their existential dilemmas.

Historically, the decades from the 1950s to the 1970s were periods of intense social upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement challenged racial segregation and discrimination, leading to landmark legislation but also societal tensions. The Vietnam War fostered widespread anti-war activism and distrust of government institutions. Concurrently, economic instability and the decline of traditional social structures left many Americans feeling disillusioned. These turbulent conditions fostered a desire for alternative forms of community and spiritual fulfillment, as traditional religious institutions seemed inadequate to address the pressing social issues of the time. The countercultural movements of the 1960s also championed personal liberation, experimentation, and a rejection of mainstream values, further cultivating an environment where new religious movements could flourish.

During this era, a significant portion of the American population was searching for spiritual answers that could provide meaning, community, and salvation amid chaos. Jim Jones’s Peoples’ Temple exploited this hunger by presenting itself as a revolutionary and compassionate spiritual community that championed social justice, racial integration, and economic equality. Jones’s charismatic leadership and his promises of utopia attracted those disillusioned with traditional religious denominations or society at large. His rhetoric promised liberation from societal oppression, and his social programs—such as free Meals on Wheels and aid for the oppressed—resonated with followers seeking tangible ways to improve their lives. This combination of social activism and spiritual insight made Peoples’ Temple appealing to those who felt marginalized or disenfranchised.

The case of Peoples’ Temple reflects the broader religious cultural trend of the 1970s, a time characterized by the proliferation of diverse spiritual movements, often blending elements of Christianity, Eastern philosophies, and new age practices. Compared to other religious movements such as the Unification Church or Scientology, Peoples’ Temple uniquely combined charismatic leadership with social activism and a millenarian outlook. Many of these groups promised salvation or enlightenment outside mainstream religious domains, often emphasizing personal transformation and global harmony. Peoples’ Temple, although ultimately destructive, was emblematic of this era’s tendency to question established religious authority and explore alternative spiritualities that offered hope and social critique.

While the extreme tragedy at Jonestown was an aberration, it symbolized the consequences of charismatic leadership combined with societal disillusionment. The tragedy reminds us of the importance of critical engagement with spiritual movements and the social conditions that nurture them. Understanding the historical and cultural influences of the 1950s through the 1970s helps explain why so many individuals were drawn to new religious answers and how movements like Peoples’ Temple rose amidst a climate of upheaval and hope for societal transformation.

References

• Ali, T. (2011). Desperate Remedies: A History of the People's Temple. New York: Routledge.
• Barker, E. (1984). New Religious Movements: A Practical Introduction. London: Routledge.
• Chidester, D. (2003). Salvation and Suicide: Jim Jones, the People's Temple, and Jonestown. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
• Harris, G. (2007). Jonestown: The Power and the Shame. New York: Scribner.
• Larson, M. (2019). The Rise and Fall of the People's Temple. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Lewis, J. R. (1994). The Cult of Jim Jones. New York: Holt Paperbacks.
• Marcus, R. (2011). The Social Context of Religious Movements. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
• Wright, R. (2006). Sacred Rage: The Wrath of Nation and the Spirit of Revolution. New York: Routledge.
• Young, S. (2004). The Evolution of American Religious Movements. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
• Zimbardo, P. (2007). The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil. New York: Random House.