Scopes Trial: Evolution in Schools

Study Notes

Scopes Trial

What: The Scopes Trial, also known as the Monkey Trial, was a landmark American legal case in 1925 that debated the teaching of evolution in public schools.

When and Where: The trial took place from July 10 to July 21, 1925, in Dayton, Tennessee.

Key Players:

John T. Scopes: A high school biology teacher who was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools.
William Jennings Bryan: A former presidential candidate and prosecutor who argued against the teaching of evolution.
Clarence Darrow: A renowned lawyer who defended Scopes and argued for the teaching of evolution.

The Trial:

The trial was sparked by Scopes' teaching of evolution from a biology textbook.
The prosecution, led by Bryan, argued that evolution was contrary to the Bible and therefore should not be taught in public schools.
The defense, led by Darrow, argued that evolution was a scientific fact and that teachers should be allowed to teach it.
The trial was highly publicized and attracted national attention.

Outcome:

Scopes was found guilty and fined $100.
The trial was seen as a victory for the fundamentalist movement, but it also sparked a national debate about the teaching of evolution in public schools.

Significance:

The Scopes Trial marked a turning point in the debate over the teaching of evolution in public schools.
It highlighted the tension between religious fundamentalism and scientific inquiry.
The trial paved the way for future legal battles over the teaching of evolution, including the 1987 Supreme Court case Edwards v. Aguillard, which ruled that creationism is a religious doctrine and cannot be taught in public schools.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Scopes Trial, a landmark American legal case in 1925 that debated the teaching of evolution in public schools. Learn about the key players, the trial, and its significance in American history.