scopes trial
... The Scopes or ‘Great Monkey’ Trial represented a clash between two worlds: the religious fundamentalism of rural America vs. ... This was the law that teacher John Scopes challenged, thus setting in motion the events of the ‘Great Monkey’ Trial. The town in which the trial took place, Dayton, Tennessee, was in the heart of rural America of the 1920’s. ... Scopes understood this and later wrote, “In rural areas, particularly in the South and Midwest, Americans turned to their faith for comfort and stability” . It was because of this withdrawal to old faith that Scopes tried to enlighten his fellow town’s folk and show them there was nothing to fear. ... So for him this trial was not just about Scopes, it was personal. ... The only question they needed to answer was: did Scopes teach evolution to his class? ... John Scopes was the only client Darrow ever volunteered to represent pro bono, saying “I really wanted to take part in it” . ... Thus Clarence Darrow; a well read gentleman, advocator of freedom of speech and expression, as well as being considered the greatest trial lawyer of the time came to Dayton to defend Scopes and free thought. ... They did not intend to prove that Scopes was innocent but, rather to show the Bible as a work of religious aspiration and rules of conduct, which is best kept in the realm of theology. ... Malone, the local attorney for Scopes, maintained that “the book of Genesis is in part a hymn, in part an allegory and work of religious interpretations written by men who believe that the earth was flat and whose authority cannot be accepted to control the teachings of science in our schools. ... The actual trial was a clash of titans: William Jennings Bryan, the arch advocate of rural religious fundamentalism and Christian moralities; and Clarence Darrow, the apostle of urban secularism and the scientific method. The trial commenced before throngs of people all waiting in awe to see what would happen. ... The key witness for the people was Howard Morgan, a 14-year-old student, who studied evolution in the biology class for which Scopes’ was substituting. Howard was asked if Scopes had taught evolution to his class, to which Howard answered yes. Howard was also questioned as to whether Scopes classified man in the order of animals to which he replied that Scopes “classified man along with cats and dogs, cows, horses, monkeys, lions, horses and all that, as mammals” . With this testimony the prosecution stood firm on John Scopes guilt, he had taught evolution in his class. ... Morgan he made it clear that although Scopes classified man as a mammal he did not say that man was the same as other animals. ... Morgan’s testimony still proved Scopes guilt, it appeared the prosecution had an open and shut case. ... As the dust settled and the trial came to a close it was not certain which side would come out on top but Darrow had struck a tremendous blow for secular humanism. ... He also requested that Scopes be found guilty; this way they could appeal to a higher court and fight to overturn the law. After only ten minutes of deliberation the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and Scopes was given the minimum fine of $100. ... At the end of it all Scopes was allowed to address the court: Your Honor, I feel that I have been convicted of violating an unjust statute. ... Any other action would be in violation of my idea of academic freedom” Though Scopes was held high as a crusader for academic freedom, he probably would not have stood up to the law if not for the New York Civil Liberties Union. ... The Scopes or ‘Great Monkey’ trial was a great triumph for religious fundamentalism of rural America over the new urban secular humanism.