The Charles Manson Family was a cult led by Charles Manson in the late 1960s. Manson believed in a coming apocalyptic race war and sought to incite violence to trigger it. His followers, mostly young people, lived together in a commune in California and were heavily influenced by Manson's teachings and charisma. In August 1969, members of the Manson Family committed a series of brutal murders, including the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders. These crimes shocked the nation and led to a high-profile trial. Manson and several of his followers were convicted and sentenced to life in prison, marking a significant moment in American criminal history.