Day 1 - Oostburg School District

In the mid-twenties a new wave of modernism flourished through-out America, but just as an age of new
thinking came about, a pattern of traditionalism was set into place. A younger generation had only intellect at
their interest, while an older generation worried about society losing its more classic values. In 1925 Dayton,
Tennessee was a sight for sore eyes with its Butler Act controversy. The Butler Act forbade the teaching of any
evolutionary theory in public schools. The American Civil Liberties Union deiced to back anyone accused of
teaching Evolution or any ideas similar to it. John T. Scopes was asked to teach Darwinism soon afterwards. After
being called to court he got a small team of lawyers, Clearance Darrow, and George Rappleyea to lead the
way. They were up against bible expert, and creator of the Butler Act, William Jennings Bryan. After eight days of
trial the jury came upon the decision to send the case to a higher court. They stated that it was unfair to use that
kind of money for such an enormous choice. Darrow said, “We have the purpose of preventing bigots and
ignoramuses from controlling the education of the United States.” The eventually was an appeal made, and the
court forbade the teaching of Evolution, but did not require any form of any other religion be taught.
The Scopes Trial is amazingly important to the 1920’s and 1930’s. It showed what was becoming of our country,
and what new ways of thinking might enable us to do with it. The Scopes Trial affects so many people, Christian
people, Atheist people, and all other people that believe in the separation between church and state. The
affect it has had on other people is also great. It has lead us to other thoughts on religion in the school, other
decisions, and more acceptance of these other religions. This will always affect us, always. The Scopes Trial was
just another revolution, one that will always be known as a great mark in history.