Summary
In 1925, John Scopes, a high school teacher in Tennessee, was arrested for breaking a state law that prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools. Under Tennessee law, only the theory of "Divine Creation" as set forth in the Bible could be taught, and not the scientific theory of evolution. Supporters of Scopes argued that the law violated the constitutional separation of church and state, and that educators had a duty to teach science and not religion. Opponents of Scopes argued that the law did not violate the Constitution, and that the state had the right to determine what is taught in the classroom. In one of the most publicized trials of the 20th century, a jury had to decide whether Scopes had a right to teach evolution in a public school, or whether the state had the right to set the school curriculum on the subject.
This eBook examines the Scopes trial and delves into the pro and con arguments it raised. It includes a timeline, primary sources, a bibliography, and a "Learn More About" chapter with more information on the topic.