scopes trial lesson2
TRANSCRIPT
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
William Jennings Bryan- Prosecutor in the
Scopes trial. Defended the Butler Act.
Clarence Darrow- volunteered to defend John
Scopes’ right to teach evolution
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.
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/
Review: Who supported the Butler Act?
State of Tennessee, William Jennings
Bryan, Fundamentalists
Who opposed it?
John Scopes, Clarence Darrow, ACLU,
Modernists
Read and analyze Scopes Documents A-B,
and answer Guiding Questions.
After answering Guiding Questions, fill out
the Graphic Organizer.
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!)
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.
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.
• 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.