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Jim Jones was a communist who wanted to control the people and gain power. In order to get followers, he created a new religious movement. After attracting suspicion from the government in the mid 1970s, Jones and almost 1,000 of his followers migrated to a 3,800 acre commune called "Jonestown" in the country of Guyana. On November 17, 1978, Congressman Leo Ryan and a party of reporters and cameramen traveled to Jonestown to investigate claims of abuse. Ryan was slipped a note by a member who was asking for help. The next day, November 18th, Ryan and his party, along with several defectors made their way to an air field. Leo Ryan and four others were killed as they were boarding their plane after Jones sent his Temples security to make sure the plane doesn't leave. After this event, Jones forced his followers to drink cyanide laced flavor-aid, with children being the first to drink. Anyone who refused was either injected with poison or shot. In total, 918 Temple members died, including Jones (who shot himself).