Scopes: The Battle Over America’s Soul
(July 21, 1925)
On the Right-Side of your spiral, answer the following questions:
1. Butler Act - What was the Butler Act and what role did it
play in the Scopes trial? Who supported its passage and why?
2. Darrow and Bryan - Describe the diverse views between
the two lawyers on the case: Clarence Darrow and William
Jennings Bryan. Do you feel that one had a stronger case
than the other?
3. Darwin’s Theory - At the time of the Scopes trial,
Americans were divided about the issue of teaching Darwin’s
theories. Explain these diverse views.
4. Jury’s Decision - What was the central issue at stake in the
jury’s decision to either convict or acquit John Scopes?
5. Scopes Trial - The Scopes trial was deemed the “Trial of the
Century.” Why? How did most Americans learn about and
following the trial? Do you think it would have similar appeal
today?
If Absent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVD4TjxnJ0M (“Scopes Monkey Trial FULL” – it’s
not the 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America video series from class, but you
will be able to answer the questions with this video.)
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scopes/scopes.htm - written information