Scopes trial: what was it?

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The Scopes Trial of 1925, also called the Scopes Monkey Trial, was a challenge to the constitutionality of the laws that dictated that evolutionary theory could not be taught in schools. The Scopes trial has become a famous case and an emblematic example of the changes in morals and ideas in America in the early 20th century. The teaching of evolution in schools is still contested in parts of the American South, suggesting that the issue has just faded into the background.

The stage was set for the Scopes Trial in early 1925, when the Tennessee legislature passed the Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of the theory of evolution in schools. Rep. Butler was inspired by a speech given by William Jennings Bryan, an ardent anti-evolutionist who wanted to eliminate the teaching of “monkey theory” in schools. After the passage of the Butler Act, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) became concerned about its constitutionality and placed advertisements in several major newspapers looking for a test case. The ACLU wanted to take a case to court and was willing to defend a Tennessee teacher against allegations of violation of the Butler Act.

George Rappleyea, a recent transplant to Tennessee from New York, noticed the ad and brought it to the attention of several civic leaders at his new Dayton home. Dayton, Tennessee had fallen on hard times, with a declining population and economic strife. In addition to being an evolutionist, Rappleyea wanted to reinvigorate Dayton and thought organizing an innovative trial would put Dayton back on the map. Others agreed, and the men recruited John Scopes as a test case.

John Scopes was actually a PE teacher who filled in for the biology teacher when he was sick. At some point, however, Scopes had assigned a section of the textbook dealing with the theory of evolution, and that was reason enough to continue. Several prominent local attorneys agreed to prosecute, and the ACLU kept its promise to provide representation of the test case. The most famous member of the defense team was Clarence Darrow, who made several moving speeches during the course of the case. Other team members included Arthur Garfield Hays and Dudley Field Malone.

The Scopes trial was more of a public exhibition than a trial, with thousands of spectators milling outside the courthouse and live updates on the trial broadcast on national radio. The trial itself was relatively short, marked by Darrow’s ringing speeches. Darrow felt that in the Scopes trial, American civilization itself was on trial. He felt strongly that the Butler Act should never have been passed.

At one point, Darrow called William Jennings Bryan to the stand, questioning him about the Bible and suggesting that the man was a fool for believing in the creation story. Much of the defense’s evidence was not allowed in court, despite Darrow’s lineup of prominent scientists. The judge argued that the Scopes trial was about John Scopes, not evolution.
In his closing address, Darrow asked the jury to find Scopes guilty, so the case could be challenged at a higher level. The jury agreed, finding John Scopes guilty, and the judge fined him US$100. When Darrow appealed the case, he was kicked out of court on a technicality, because the jury should have settled the fine, not the judge. The appeals court clearly wanted to end the charade that had become the Scopes Trial and was pleased to overturn the conviction.

While the Scopes Trial was largely an elaborately organized event, it raised public awareness of the theory of evolution and the right to teach it in schools as part of science education, preparing the nation for future challenges regarding the issue . Clarence Darrow’s speeches were also frequently given to young law students for study purposes.

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