Transcript The Monkey Trial

Samuel Xiao
2 nd
U.S. History Presentation
 Born in England on February 12, 1809.
 Traveled to Galapagos Islands in 1835.
 Proposed the Theory of Evolution
 Human are related to apes
 Natural selection
 All organisms share a common ancestor
 On November 24, 1859, he published the book Origins
of Species which also includes his theory.
 During the time after Darwin propose his theory,
creationists and evolutionists are in constant debate
on who's right or wrong.
 Tennessee passed the Butler Act.
 It banned the teaching of evolution in pubic schools and
universities.
 John Thomas Scopes violated the law by teaching
evolution in a public school, was arrested and putted
on trial.
 The ACLU funded his defense.
 http://ncse.com/files/pub/legal/Scopes/Butler_Act.pdf
 Also known as The Monkey Trial
 Clarence Darrow
 Attorney for defense
 William Jennings Bryan
 Led the prosecution
 3 times presidential candidate
 Spectators, journalists and reporters gathered on the
streets of Dayton.
 Judge John Raulston ruled out scientific testimonies.
 Darrow decides to attack Bryan and the bible.
Darrow
1.
2.
3.
Questions Bryan on the
interpretations of the
bible.
Brings up bible stories
that contradicts with
what Bryan says.
Questions about the
flood described in the
bible.
Bryan
Claims everything
should be taken
literally.
2. Explains that what
happened is a miracle.
3. Gives no valid counter
argument.
1.
http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/scopesap.htm
 Bryan was denied a closing speech.
 He was also humiliated in front of the crowd.
 The jury fined Scopes $100, which was later dismissed.
 The war between evolutionists and creationist
continues onwards.
 “The two of them are an ideal match because Darrow
was outspoken, agonistic, and with a real contempt
what he called Christian fundamentalism. Bryan on
the other hand was a very outspoken Christian.”
-David Menton
 “In fact, Darrow became such a liability, the ACLU
tried (unsuccessfully) to dump him from the defense
team handling Scopes’s appeal to the state supreme
court.”
- Dr. Ron Numbers
 There is a Hollywood film called Inherit the Wind




which is adapted from an earlier play under the same
name.
It tells the events happened during the Scopes Trial,
however the play is biased and a lot of the information
are fabricated and misguides the viewer.
Bryan died 5 days after the trial ended while taking an
afternoon nap.
The Butler Act was repealed in 1967, more than 40
years after the trial ended.
http://www.themonkeytrial.com/
 "The Monkey Trial." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 06
Feb. 2016. <http://www.ushistory.org/us/47b.asp>.
 "Charles Darwin Galapagos Adventure." Galapagos Islands Travel Guide. N.p., 21
Nov. 2011. Web. 06 Feb. 2016. <http://www.galapagosislands.com/blog/charlesdarwins-galapagos-adventure/>.
 "Early Theories of Evolution: Darwin and Natural Selection." Early Theories of
Evolution: Darwin and Natural Selection. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.
<http://anthro.palomar.edu/evolve/evolve_2.htm>.
 "Monkey Trial Begins." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 06 Feb.
2016. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/monkey-trial-begins>.
 Pappas, By Stephanie. "Creationism vs. Evolution: 6 Big Battles." LiveScience.
TechMedia Network, 05 Feb. 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.livescience.com/43126-creationism-vs-evolution-6-big-battles.html>.
 "Digital History." Digital History. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3390>.
 Pappas, By Stephanie. "Creationism vs. Evolution: 6 Big Battles." LiveScience.
TechMedia Network, 05 Feb. 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.livescience.com/43126-creationism-vs-evolution-6-big-battles.html>.