scopes trial lesson2

12

Upload: trevorrogers32

Post on 21-Jan-2018

1.767 views

Category:

Education


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Scopes trial lesson2
Page 2: Scopes trial lesson2

The backdrop and the cast:

Butler Act: 1925 Tennessee law prohibiting the

teaching of the Evolution Theory in all public

schools.

John Scopes-a teacher in Dayton, Tennessee,

who was charged on May 5, 1925 for violating

Tennessee's Butler Act

Page 3: Scopes trial lesson2

William Jennings Bryan- Prosecutor in the

Scopes trial. Defended the Butler Act.

Page 4: Scopes trial lesson2

Clarence Darrow- volunteered to defend John

Scopes’ right to teach evolution

Page 5: Scopes trial lesson2

ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union. works in the

courts, legislatures and communities to defend and

preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to

all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of

the United States.

Materialism-preoccupation with material objects,

comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or

rejection of spiritual, intellectual or cultural values

Fundamentalism-literal translation of the Bible

Modernist-a radical approach that yearned to revitalize

the way modern civilization viewed life, art, politics, and

science. Characterized by a rejection of religious

thought.

Page 6: Scopes trial lesson2

After watching the movie clip, begin filling

out the top of the graphic organizer: What

was happening in the 1920’s?• Conservative Presidents-Warren G. Harding,

Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover

• Modernist thinking gaining popularity

• Prohibition

• KKK gained power in state legislatures

• Fundamentalist Revival

http://historicalthinkingmatters.org/scopestrial/

https://answersingenesis.org/scopes-trial/

Page 7: Scopes trial lesson2

Review: Who supported the Butler Act?

State of Tennessee, William Jennings

Bryan, Fundamentalists

Who opposed it?

John Scopes, Clarence Darrow, ACLU,

Modernists

Page 8: Scopes trial lesson2

Read and analyze Scopes Documents A-B,

and answer Guiding Questions.

After answering Guiding Questions, fill out

the Graphic Organizer.

Page 9: Scopes trial lesson2

Answers to Guiding Questions on the “Reading Like a Historian” handout

Document A: Sparks Letter to the Editor

1. Who is Mrs. Sparks and why does she care about what is taught in

schools?

She is a citizen of Tennessee. From reading the document one can infer

that she is a Christian Fundamentalist and probably a mother.

2. What is Mrs. Sparks referring to when she says “these times of

materialism”?

Mrs. Sparks is probably referring to the lifestyles people were living

during the 20’s in which the focus was on material items, flashy clothing,

making money, having fun, breaking law by drinking alcohol, flappers,

etc.

3. Find all of the words that suggest the presence of a great danger. Why

might Mrs. Sparks believe that evolution is such a threat?

(Read the document and get this one on your own. This is an easy one.

You can do it!)

Page 10: Scopes trial lesson2

Answers to Guiding Questions on the “Reading Like a Historian” handout

Document B: Malone’s Trial Speech

1. The audience in the courthouse mostly supported Bryan and the Butler

Act. Why do you think they applauded Malone’s speech?

(This is one of those “What do you think questions” that doesn’t really

have a right or wrong answer, but it does require you to provide

evidence for your answer.)

My answer for this requires some explanation.

This trial took place in rural Tennessee. People who live in rural areas

tend to be patriotic. Malone appealed to the patriotism in the audience

by stating “We feel we stand with freedom in America.” The Scopes

defense was making the argument that this law (The Butler Act) violated

freedom of speech. By appealing to that sense of patriotism and

reverence for the foundational rights of the country, Malone was able to

win the audience over.

2. Why does Malone think science is so important?

Malone is equating Science with progress and intelligence.

3. What is Malone referring to when he says “civilization is not so proud of

the work of the adults’?

He is referring to WWI in which 20 million people were killed.

Page 11: Scopes trial lesson2

Supported the Butler Act Opposed the Butler Act

Jesse Sparks Dudley Malone

• She is a Christian

Fundamentalist

• She believed the teaching of

evolution would undermine

Christianity

Believed Children should be

allowed to learn both the

teachings of the Bible and

evolution

“They were protecting our

children from one of the

destructive forces which will

destroy our civilization.”

“For God’s sake let the children

have their minds kept open—

close no doors to their

knowledge.”

Graphic Organizer on the “Reading Like a Historian”

handout.

Page 12: Scopes trial lesson2

• In what way did the historical context of the 1920s

affect the battle over the Butler Act?

The 1920’s was chaotic and divided in ideology. Half

of the people believed a loose translation of the Bible

or not at all and the other half believed a strict or

literal translation of the bible. This set the stage for a

struggle between fundamentalist and modernist

thinkers.

• How was the Scopes Trial more than just a simple

debate between evolution and creationism?

The ACLU focused on the fact that the law restricted

freedom of speech and tried to make this the true

issue of the case.