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Scopes Trial In American History

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“The Scopes Trial is one of the best known in American history events because it symbolizes the conflict between science and theology, faith and reason, individual liberty and majority rule,” (Mintz and McNeil par 1). The decade of the 1920’s was an era of rebellion, prosperity, and social changes. One major event that shocked the country through its discordance between urban enlightenment and rural protestantism was called “The Scopes Trial”, which involved the teachings of evolution. Before the trial took place, an act known as “The Butler Act” established that public schools prohibited the teachings of evolution to students. This act was passed in early 1925 by the Tennessee General Assembly for the reason being that students shouldn’t …show more content…

This duel against evolution and the laws of Christianity seems like it would finalize what is to be taught in society as Bryan claimed (Mintz and McNeil par 2). On July 10th, crowds were building up in the courtroom and radio listeners were all ears on the trial, meaning that this trial was the main event to pay attention to. Throughout the trial, Bryan and Darrow made many arguments, which the crowd cheered for, for aggressing Creationism and approving the theory of Darwinism. Later on, Bryan stood on the witness stand and claimed that if the creation of men existed, it would’ve lasted for millions of years instead of just a week, like how the Bible said so (Mintz and McNeil par 5). Although he opposed Creationism, he also opposed some factors of Darwinism, such as the infamous “survival of the fittest” quote and the claim that only 5 races were to exist, as Darwin wrongly predicted. Because of the false accusations from Darwin’s theory in some aspects, Bryan was discouraged of the lack of scientific evidence to prove evolution and Scopes was later on, proven guilty (Mintz and McNeil par 8). However, the judge determined and finalized Scope’s fine to be only $100 ("Scopes Monkey Trial." par 8). Later in 1967, the Supreme Court disapproved Tennessee 's law of not teaching evolution for the violation of the Constitution’s prohibition against the establishment of religion (Mintz and McNeil par

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”(1.1.10) In hope of a defense attorney who would understand why he decided to teach from the book of Darwin. At his defense came a well-known attorney by the name of Henry Drummond. Drummond clearly agreed with Cates, if not why else would he have come with free of charge? The prosecutor who is Matthew Harrison Brady was also a respected religious

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At the time, certain events were taking place that allowed the rise of religious fundamentalism. Larson says, “These scientific developments helped set the stage in the early 1920s for a massive crusade by fundamentalists against teaching evolution in public schools, which culminated in the 1925 trial of John Scopes. ”13 Developments such as the increase of public schools, new fossil discoveries that strengthened the evolution argument, and the rise of religious fundamentalism all helped strengthen the case of anti-evolution advocates. These anti-evolution movements lead by religious leaders such as William Jennings Bryan argued that the teaching of evolution should be banned in public schools since it was the will of the majority, even if freedom of speech was compromised. The ACLU eventually advertised for a teacher to challenge the law that banned evolution.

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“This man wishes to be accorded the same privilege as a sponge! He wishes to think!” (Lawrence & Lee, 1955, p. 94). This quote from Inherit the Wind represents the heart of the controversy known as the Scopes Trial in 1925. This historical court proceeding still affects us today, yet few know much about it.

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Most characters in this story ignore opinions and facts that are true. This is shown when the judge says, “The Reverend Brown has asked me to make this announcement. There will be a prayer meeting tonight on the courthouse lawn, to pray for justice and guidance. ”(Lawrence and Lee 48). Brown wants a religious meeting which shows how ignorant he is to Drummond and evolution.

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The Scopes Trial John Scopes, a high school biology teacher, who found himself at the center of one of the 20th century’s most famous life-changing court hearings; The Scopes Trial. It was also known as the Monkey Trial, where biology teacher John Scopes was prosecuted for teaching evolution in a public school located in Tennessee (Kemper). Prior to the trial, there was a anti-evolution law that was passed making Scopes actions illegal, this was known as The Butler Act. As a matter of fact, when Scopes went against this law it was the first step in moving towards modernism. As well as, causing America to move away from traditional values.

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The Scopes “Monkey” Trial During the 1920’s, many adversities were faced in the social, political, and religious aspects of American life. During this time, the origins of life became a hotbed of controversy among the religious and non-religious alike. Due to the rise of Christian fundamentalism and the resulting political pressures of the Deep South, the Scopes trial became the focal point of this great controversy. Religion quickly became challenged soon after a man by the name of, Charles Darwin, released his book in 1859, entitled, Origin of Species (Evans 197).

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L. Mencken's article "The Scopes Trial: Aftermath," he states how, while it may be the right of every person to hold the beliefs/religion/superstitions they may choose for themselves, they have NO right to force their own viewpoints and beliefs onto others, as that infringes upon their right to have different beliefs (Mencken). This pointed out to the American public the unconstitutional actions of the fundamentalist South, and many realized it was time for, at least a small, change. The effect the Scopes Trial had on education in America is clear. Before the trial, it was the commonly held belief that evolution should not be taught in the public school system because of its undermining of the religious concept of creation. This famous court case was really the first time anyone had publicly second-guessed their deeply held fundamental beliefs (such as the prosecuting attorney, William Jennings Bryan).

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The Scopes Monkey Trial was an important event in history that still holds resonance today. The South during the 1920’s was still recovering from Reconstruction after the war. Which means that the South was not in favor of any National attention that could possibly be avoided. This case being in the South as well as being such a controversial topic, created a separation between the newer town of Dayton (did not mind attention) and the state of Tennessee(did not want attention). Out of which came an array of views on whether this trial should even be held or not.

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The Scopes Monkey trial was one the biggest and most influential court cases of all time. John Scopes was a public high school teacher in dayton tennessee who was arrested and tried for breaking the butlers law. Passed in 1925 it made teaching evolution in any schools and colleges in the state of Tennessee illegal. This was because evolution challenges the idea of creationism which was the popular religion in the tennessee. this was a huge problem because it was written in the constitution that you must separate church and state.

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Anti-evolution in the classroom The Scopes Trial of 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee put the controversial issue of evolution vs creationism on front stage for the United States to watch. After The Scopes Trial, anti-evolutionists were really trying to stop evolution in the classroom. Up until the The Scopes Trial, generations of people were following in the footsteps of their elders, adopted their religious beliefs. But after the trial, there came a period of modernization and questioning the common standards.

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His thoughts made him for who he was and was the cause of the trial. The Scopes Monkey Trial was when a teacher, Bertram Cates, teaches the theory of evolution illegally in a town of creationist. Bertram Cates wasn’t allowed to teach evolution because it was only a theory then. Henry Drummond was Bertram Cates lawyer, free of charge because Henry Drummond believed that everyone had the right to think. He believed that this was important because for people could be diverse.

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John Scopes left teaching and went to become a chemical engineer in the oil industry and died by 1970. Three years prior to Scopes death, the Supreme Court ruled that Tennessee’s Butler Act was a violation to the United States Constitution. For example, it violated the Constitution forbidding against the creation of religion. The Scopes Trial resulted in legislation not allowing a restrain on freedom for scientific inquiry and society's need to respect ”academic freedom” Moreover, the concept of evolution started to be allowed to be taught in classrooms all throughout the nation.

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