Scopes Monkey Trial Essay

Section 1: Identification and evaluation of sources

The investigation will explore the question: To what extent was teaching evolution in American high school biology classes impacted after the pro-evolutionists were ruled guilty in the Scopes Monkey Trial? The investigation will focus on the changes made in high school biology curriculum in the following decades after the trial

The first article that will be evaluated is "Lingering Impact of the Scopes Trial on High school biology textbooks" by Randy Moore, written in 2000. The origin of the source is valuable because Moore has written several biology textbooks which would allow him to see the effects the trial has on the field to this day. Furthermore, Moore has written books on the trial

The case involved a high school biology teacher named John Scopes, who was charged with violating Tennessee state law by teaching the theory of evolution in his classroom. The trial was a highly publicized event that sparked a national debate about the teaching of evolution and the role of religion in education. The trial attracted widespread attention from the media. The case was prosecuted by William Jennings Bryan, a prominent lawyer, and politician who was a strong advocate for the teaching of creationism in schools. On the side, the defense team was led by Clarence Darrow, a well-known lawyer, and defender of civil liberties. Ultimately, Scopes was found guilty and was fined $100, although it was later overturned. Despite the outcome of the trial, the Scopes Trial had a large and lasting impact on the teaching of evolution in American schools and the public's understanding of the issue. Although the Scopes Trial marked a significant turning point in the history of science education in the United States, the impact of this event on high school biology textbooks has been impactful, with some textbooks deciding to offer a more balanced view of different viewpoints on evolution while others continued to present a biased and even religious view of the

Before the Scopes Trial, the teaching of evolution in public schools was a controversial issue. Some people, particularly those who were religious fundamentalists, believed that the theory of evolution conflicted with the teachings of the Bible and was therefore not suitable for public school classrooms."The trial created a lasting impact on the teaching of evolution in American schools. After the Scopes trial, evolution was often taught less frequently and less thoroughly, and many textbooks either downplayed the subject or avoided it altogether." Others, including many scientists and educators, believed that evolution was a scientifically supported theory and was a suitable subject to teach in schools. Regardless, the majority of biology textbooks at the time limited evolution to a few passages at most. “A Civic Biology” was one of the most popular high school biology textbooks at the time and was the textbook Scopes used in the lesson that got him arrested. “A Civic Biology” included a discussion of evolution before the Scopes Trial began but George William Hunter, the author, decided to remove everything after the trial due to the fear of his public image being derailed because of the trial. The name Charles Darwin was removed completely and some of the passages on evolution were replaced by religious quotations to increase acceptability. One religious quotation used was from