Modern Ideas/ Monkey Trial Flashcards
conservatives - what were they for and against?
AGAINST
modern ideas (ex. Darwin’s theory of evolution)
rambunctious activity of new generation (especially with women)
FOR
conservative/traditional views (highly religious)
fundamentalism - taking everything the bible says as literal
Monkey Trial/Scopes Trial
- Since 1859, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was controversial (contradicting traditional religious ideas)
- in February, 1925 law passed by 6 states in the Bible Belt banning the teaching of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution in public schools THE BUTLER ACT
a school teacher in the town of Dayton, Tennessee, John Scopes erupted a longstanding, nation - wide argument about modern ideas by teaching evolution in his school.
Clarence Darrow was Scopes’ lawyer and William Jennings Bryan was the representative of the fundamentalists.
On July 21, 1925, W.J Bryan won the case and Scopes was charged $100 ($1400 current day)
what was the main purpose of the Scopes Trials
was to show how ridiculous this and other fundamentalist laws and teachings were – the lawyers made fun of these extreme beliefs in public. It made the Southern USA look backwards in the eyes of the world.
how far did the monkey trials succeed
It made the Southern USA look backwards in the eyes of the world. and gained worldwide publicity BEING THE FIRST COURT CASE TO EVER AIR ON RADIO
however, the conservatives - William Jennings Bryan was the representative - won leading John Scopes to pay $100. but, by 1929, 6 states in the Bible Belt (the most southern parts of the country), had passed laws against teaching the theory of evolution.
overall, fact, John Scopes volunteered to break the law and be put on trial - to deliberately question the fundamentalist beliefs and to ridicule the Tennessee law which was successful
but
states in the Bible Belt’s laws against the teaching of evolution still stood strong - Some conservatives became even more entrenched in their beliefs.
ACLU
American Civil Liberties Union
non-profit organization with the intent to defend civil liberty and free expression.
The ACLU responded immediately with an offer to defend any teacher prosecuted under the law.
when Scopes was charged with $100, the ACLU payed for it as well as defending him in court - his lawyer was Clarence Darrow
