Scopes Monkey Trial

Ayal Gabbay & Jake Paston

John Thomas ScopesJohn Thomas Scopes

Born on August 3Born on August 3rdrd 19001900

Born and Raised in Born and Raised in KentuckyKentucky

Taught in Dayton, Taught in Dayton, TennesseeTennessee

Charged for Charged for Violating the Butler Violating the Butler act on May 25, act on May 25, 19251925

Butler Act

• It shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of the State to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.

Theory of Evolution

Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the widely held notion that all life is related and has descended from a common ancestor

George Rappleyea

• Convinced locals that breaking the butler act will cause a law suit bringing much needed popularity to the town.

• Convinced John Scopes to break the law and arranged to have him arrested.

Prosecutor (state)

William Jennings BryanLeader in passing the Butler Act

Worked with the World Christian Fundamentals Association and was there

to defend the beliefs of the Bible.

Defense (scopes)

Clarence Darrow

Leader of the American Civil Liberties Union

• Non-Profit organization which focuses on litigation and communication efforts, and legislative lobbying

• "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Contstitution and laws of the United States."

A Civic Biology

• Textbook Tennessee teachers were required to use to teach.

• Written by George William Hunter

• Taught about Evolution which violated Butler Act

The Plan

• Scopes started by saying the Butler Act was wrong because it violated his teaching rights.

• He later switched to saying that the theory of evolution did not conflict with what the bible says.

Examination of Bryan

On the 7th day of trial, the defense called Bryan to testify.

Darrow asked Bryan questions he would not be able to answer to try to prove the bible can not be followed word for word.

– How was Eve actually created from Adams rib?– What was the population of Ancient Egypt?

Verdict

After eight days of trial, it took the jury only nine minutes to deliberate. Scopes was found guilty on July 21 and ordered to pay a $100 fine.

Scopes appealed the courts decision and the Scopes appealed the courts decision and the scopes monkey trial was the start of people scopes monkey trial was the start of people everywhere challenging the Butler Act and it was everywhere challenging the Butler Act and it was eventually repealed in 1976.eventually repealed in 1976.

THE END