John Thomas Scopes, and commonly referred to as the Scopes Monkey Trial, was an American legal case from July 10 to July 21, 1925, in which a high school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee 's Butler Act The Butler Act was a 1925 Tennessee law introduced by Tennessee House of Representatives member John Washington Butler prohibiting public school teachers from denying the Biblical account of mankind's origin. It was enacted as Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 Section 1922, having been signed into law by Tennessee governor Austin Peay. The law also prevented the teaching of the ev…Butler Act
What was the Scopes Trial and why was it significant?
This month marks the 88th anniversary of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, a famous legal case in 1925 in which a high school teacher, John Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee’s Butler Act, which made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded school.
Why was the Scopes Trial called the "Monkey Trial"?
Answer and Explanation: The Scopes Trial was also called the Scopes Monkey Trial because of the U.S. state of Tennessee's opposition to teaching evolution, which theorized Also to know, what was the Scopes trial about and what was the outcome? Scopes was found guilty and fined $100 (almost $1,300 in today's money).
What was the central issue of Scopes Trial?
The Scopes Trial, formally The State of Tennessee v.John Thomas Scopes, and commonly referred to as the Scopes Monkey Trial, was an American legal case from July 10 to July 21, 1925 in which a high school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act, which had made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded school.
What was the result of the Scopes Trial?
With Raulston limiting the trial to the single question of whether Scopes had taught evolution, which he admittedly had, Scopes was convicted and fined $100 on July 21. On appeal, the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the 1925 law but acquitted Scopes on the technicality that he had been fined excessively.
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What was the purpose of the Scopes Trial?
The trial’s proceedings helped to bring the scientific evidence for evolution into the public sphere while also stoking a national debate over the veracity of evolution that continues to the present day. Scopes Trial.
What was the climax of the trial?
The trial’s climax came on July 20, when Darrow called on Bryan to testify as an expert witness for the prosecution on the Bible. Raulston moved the trial to the courthouse lawn, citing the swell of spectators and stifling heat inside.
How much was Scopes fined?
With Raulston limiting the trial to the single question of whether Scopes had taught evolution, which he admittedly had, Scopes was convicted and fined $100 on July 21.
What was the Butler Act?
In March 1925 the Tennessee legislaturehad passed the Butler Act, which declared unlawful the teaching of any doctrine denying the divine creation of man as taught by the Bible. World attention focused on the trial proceedings, which promised and delivered confrontation between fundamentalist literal belief and liberal interpretation of the Scriptures. William Jennings Bryanled for the prosecution and Clarence Darrowfor the defense.
When did the jury selection begin in the Butler case?
Jury selection began on July 10 , and opening statements, which included Darrow’s impassioned speech about the constitutionality of the Butler law and his claim that the law violated freedom of religion, began on July 13. Judge John Raulston ruled out any test of the law’s constitutionality or argument on the validity of evolutionary theory on the basis that Scopes, rather than the Butler law, was on trial. Raulston determined that expert testimony from scientists would be inadmissible.
When did Tennessee stop teaching evolution?
In the trial’s aftermath, Tennessee prevented the teaching of evolution in the classroom until the Butler Act’s repeal in 1967. Additionally, the state legislatures of Mississippiand Arkansaspassed their own bans on the teaching of evolution in 1926 and 1928, respectively, which also lasted for several decades before being repealed.
Who led the Butler case?
William Jennings Bryan led for the prosecution and Clarence Darrow for the defense. Jury selection began on July 10, and opening statements, which included Darrow’s impassioned speech about the constitutionality of the Butler law and his claim that the law violated freedom of religion, began on July 13. Judge John Raulston ruled out any test of the ...
Why was the Bryan trial important?
Importance: the trial became a media sensation and portrayed the divided views on Fundamentalism and Evolution . Even though Scopes was found guilty, the press ridiculed fundamentalism after Bryan's death although it still continued to thrive after the trial
Why was Coolidge's veto important?
Importance: vetoed by Coolidge because he felt the government shouldn't be stepping in and helping the farmers (a Republican view), so farmers begin to lose money because crop prices dropped drastically, so the failure to pass it ultimately led to the Dust Bowl
