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Questions and Answers
The Scopes Trial was a landmark American legal case in 1920.
The Scopes Trial was a landmark American legal case in 1920.
False
The Scopes Trial took place in Dayton, Kentucky.
The Scopes Trial took place in Dayton, Kentucky.
False
William Jennings Bryan was a lawyer who defended Scopes.
William Jennings Bryan was a lawyer who defended Scopes.
False
The trial was sparked by Scopes' refusal to teach evolution from a biology textbook.
The trial was sparked by Scopes' refusal to teach evolution from a biology textbook.
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Scopes was found not guilty and was not fined.
Scopes was found not guilty and was not fined.
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The Scopes Trial was held in Dayton, Kentucky.
The Scopes Trial was held in Dayton, Kentucky.
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The Butler Act prohibited the teaching of creationism in public schools.
The Butler Act prohibited the teaching of creationism in public schools.
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John Scopes was a full-time teacher who challenged the Butler Act.
John Scopes was a full-time teacher who challenged the Butler Act.
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The Scopes Trial resulted in the immediate repeal of the Butler Act.
The Scopes Trial resulted in the immediate repeal of the Butler Act.
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William Jennings Bryan was a lawyer who led the defense of Scopes.
William Jennings Bryan was a lawyer who led the defense of Scopes.
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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.
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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.
