The Short Term Effects Of The Scopes Monkey Trial

The Scopes Trial, often referred to as the Monkey Trail centered in Dayton, Tennessee involved a young science teacher by the name of Thomas Scopes. Scopes was indicted of violating the Tennessee law of teaching evolution. By July 10th, 1925 the Scopes Trial spread throughout the nation making it a nationwide event that unexpectedly changed America. Scopes Trial's short term effects led to the importance of a small town's involvement in developing American history. The trial took place in a small town by the name of Dayton, Tennessee which was later referred to as Monkey Town. Dayton became the center of attention, publicity, the town brought in planes to create movie reels, it was plastered all over newspapers and heard everywhere by radio.

Majority of supporters for this case were Christians who viewed evolution as not the right concept and how the idea goes against the hundred years of teachings from the Bible. People believed evolution was a crime and natural selection was misused to demonstrate domination. On the other hand, since the trial did take place during the Roaring Twenties people were embracing aspects of science giving support to Scopes. John Thomas Scopes went against William Jennings Bryant, Bryant wanted to make evolution illegal through his use of national campaign. To go back, the urban society were excited over education involving science and math, overall increasing the education rate from the previous 200,000 students attending to approximately 2 million students, making secondary education become crucial rather than the previous learning

Scopes was charged with the violation of the Butler Act. The Butler Act stated that teachings of evolution was a crime and Scopes did teach his high school class evolution. Scopes was convicted of breaking the law on July 21st, 1925 and fined one hundred dollars by the judge and not the jury. Later on, five days after the ending of the trial William Jennings Bryan died from apoplexy. Apoplexy is the result from a stroke or cerebral hemorrhaging with signs of unconsciousness. 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. Even in today's world, evolution is spoken about inside and outside the classroom through articles, tv shows, and