The Scopes Trial

Socially, how can one describe the 1920s in the US?

Decade of transformation, fear of 'the other', debates, urbanism, immigration, science, Darwinism. Skepticism of organized religion. Legislation to fight this fear and change. Fundamentalism versus Modernism. Fear that the moral foundation of the country is threatened by the new changes.

What did the 1920 census say about the US population ?

It demonstrated that the majority of the US population lives in cities not the countryside.

What is patriotic fundamentalism ?

being against foreign or progressive changes and aspects in the aim to be patriotic.

In which ways did patriotic fundamentalism manifest itself ?

Through lawmaking:

• The Prohibition Act 1920-1933

• The Red Scare

• Anti-immigration bills: 1917, 1921, 1924. reduced by 85%

What is Fundamentalism in the church ?

• Criticism of science and modernism.

• Rejection of Darwinism, theory of evolution and natural selection.

• The bible is infallible.

• Fear of Eugenics.

• Usually baptist and Methodist southern denominations.

What is Modernism in the church ?

• Allowed science some space in the church.

• Admitted the Bible was written by humans and open to different interpretations.

• Mainly mainline protestant denominations.

What was the talking point of fundamentalists during the 1920s ? What was the logic behind it ?

Banning the teaching of evolution, Darwinism in public schools and public universities.

Public institutions are funded by public tax-dollar money so they should get a say in what is taught > anti-evolution laws.

Who founded the Anti-Evolution League of America ?

William Bell Riley founded the Anti-Evolution League of Minnesota, later the Anti-Evolution League of America.

Where did this crusade against evolution was most active ?

In the South of the US.

Science professors fired from some southern universities for teaching evolution.

Anti-modern and anti-northern sentiments.

How many students attended high school in 1920?

around 2 million in public schools. 10 times more than in 1890.

What did the Kentucky legislator George Washington Ellis do ?

He sponsored the Ellis bill which suggested banning the teaching of evolution in Kentucky at the risk of a 50$ fine or a year of jail. The bill was defeated.

Where were similar bills to that of the Ellis bill proposed ?

Georgia, West Virginia, Alabama, and Texas in 1923.

One passed successfully in Oklahoma concerning textbooks in 1923.

One passed in Florida in 1924 but carried no penalties.

Who is William Jennings Bryan ? What is he known for ?

Former Democratic congressman.

Three times presidential candidate.

Orator.

New cause: anti-evolution. He turned his attention to Tennessee in 1925.

important personality in the Scopes Trial.

Which bill was passed in Tennessee in 1925?

House Bill 185, Public Acts of Tennessee for 1925. written by legislator John Washington Butler of Macon County. It was believed to be respected in principle not enforced.

What were the basic facts of the Scopes trial ?

The State of Tennessee vs. John Thomas Scopes.

Started on July 10 1925 till July 21. Dayton Tennessee High school science teacher scopes was accused of violating the Butler Act. He was found guilty, fined 100$ but his verdict was overturned on a technicality.

Who were the teams on the Scopes trial ?

The defendant was represented by lawyer John Randolph Neal (fired himself from the uni of TN for teaching evolution)

Arthur Garfield Hays, ACLU rep

Clarence Seward Darrow: Well-known defense attorney, retired, liberal freethinker, known for his strong closing arguments

Why was this trial special ?

A battle of ideas.

It became a national event, the 1st trial to ever be broadcasted on the radio. Also covered by the press. Big audience in the courtroom.

Vendors outside courthouse.

Buildings renovated for visitors.

Footage shown in cinemas.

What were the main arguments of the Scopes Team ?

13 different grounds

Violation of the 14th amendment (protection from unreasonable laws)

Violation of the doctrine of separation of church and state.

What was the goal of lawyer Clarence Darrow ?

He came out of retirement to seek a public debate against fundamentalism, it was not about acquitting his client.

Who was the prosecutor ? Judge ?

Mr Sue Hicks, American co-instigator and prosecutor.

Judge John Tate Raulston.

How did the trial come to an end ?

Expert scientific testimony was refused by the judge.

July 20: Bryan was called to the stand by Darrow, ruthlessly questioned, admitted some contradictions and creation story was not truthful.

Jennings died on July 26.

The Act was repealed in 1967.

What was the impact of the trial ?

Mississippi passed the same act in 1927.

TN issued a new biology textbook which did not mention evolution.