In the 1920’s the very idea of evolution was heavily criticized due to a majority of the american population believing in creationism. It had become a tradition for parents to teach their kids about how people came from Adam and Eve. This tradition became under scrutiny when the theory of evolution was proposed by Charles Darwin. It was in direct contrast with creationism and was based in science. A debate started in the 1920s about which one was was true, and then an even bigger debate occurred when the question whether or not the theory of evolution should be taught in school, was raised.
Even though in the 1920s, creationism was prevalently believed around the nation there were people that opposed this belief. These people were referred to as modernists because they would rather believe in science than traditional beliefs. Some teachers who were modernists dared to teach evolution to their students, in spite of popular belief. These teachers knew that their students needed to learn the theory of evolution as wells as creationism. While this is a noble cause, in the state of Tennessee, under the Butler Act, it is against the law to teach evolution in state funded schools.
For one man, John Thomas Scopes, the law did not matter. He thought that “what goes on in a classroom is up to the student and the teacher. Once you introduce the power of the state—telling you what you can and cannot do—you’ve become involved in propaganda”(John Scopes). So, when the American Civil Liberties Union announced that they wanted to oppose the Butler act in court Scopes took the opportunity to fight for modernism. After using a textbook that supported evolution he was arrested.
During his trial, which is commonly referred to as the Scopes Monkey Trial, it was the beliefs of modernism against tradition. At the time of the trial, practically everyone in Dayton, Tennessee was predominantly religious, believing that man came from Adam and Eve. The movie Inherit the Wind demonstrated this through Reverend Jeremiah Brown. Reverend Brown in the movie held daily sermons, and almost everyone in the entire town attended. There was even a sign outside of the courtroom that said “Read Your Bible”.
Also, the amount of support for Matthew Harrison Brady, the attorney defending their religious beliefs, greatly outnumbered the amount of support for opposing counsel,Henry Drummond. This could be seen throughout the movie as Brady’s side of the courtroom was filled with avid supporters. Inherit the Wind further expanded on this idea by having numerous people gather in the center of town with anti-evolution and pro creationist signs at the beginning of the film. After the first the day of the trial reverend Brown had a sermon where John Thomas Scopes was damned to hell.
Even though some of these parts are exaggerated in the movie for dramatic effect it still paints a clear picture about how people in this town value their traditions. Depending on how a person looked at the situation Scopes’ actions could be seen as an act of ignorance or a true act of bravery. Scopes going against the ideals of his entire town made him a social pariah. More importantly, Scopes faced serious legal ramifications for his actions. On the other hand, Scopes was a man of science and a teacher.
Teaching both sides of the story was his moral and occupational obligation. With the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union, Scopes taught his substitute class the theory of evolution. He boldly went to a trial that would decide the fate of religion and evolution in government funded schools. As one man against his entire town he “furnished the body that was needed to sit in the defendant’s chair”(John Scopes). The Scopes Monkey Trial went on for eight days bringing copious amounts of publicity to Dayton.
Journalists and news reporters came from every corner of the country to see what became of Scopes. They also cared about how this trial affected the issue of whether or not evolution should be taught in school. Inherit the WInd showed the media anxiously watching as both lawyers, Brady and Drummond argued passionately for their beliefs. Even though Scopes was convicted the question; should evolution be taught in school was edged into the minds of americans across the country.
This caused modernists and traditionalists alike started to start forming groups to support their cause. After the trial anti-evolution movements such as The Creation Research Society came out into the public spotlight to help support creationism. Modernists groups helped pass the National Defense Education Act which encouraged textbooks to make sure students understood the importance of evolution. This trial of modernism vs traditionalism ignited one of the biggest debates in the 1920’s which is still debated to this day.
