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The trial in 1925 of John Scopes for teaching evolution in Tennessee was a defeat of Darwinism.  The [[ACLU]] and liberal trial lawyer Clarence Darrow brought the Scopes case in the hopes of winning a public relations and legal victory, but in fact [[William Jennings Bryan]], the liberal three-time Democratic presidential candidate, decisively beat them.  

The trial in 1925 of John Scopes for teaching evolution in Tennessee was a defeat of Darwinism.  The [[ACLU]] and liberal trial lawyer Clarence Darrow brought the Scopes case in the hopes of winning a public relations and legal victory, but in fact [[William Jennings Bryan]], the liberal three-time Democratic presidential candidate, decisively beat them.

 

Note: the Scopes trial itself was important only as a public relations battle. The case was tried at the local court level, and therefore the laws that banned the teaching of evolution could not be challenged unless the case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court or the Tennessee - high court? - (i forget what court you have to be in to challenge state laws please edit if you know).  

The [[ACLU]] challenged a Tennessee statute, the Butler Act, that imposed a fine for teaching in public school that man descended from more primitive life forms.  The statute did not prohibit teaching most aspects of evolution.  The textbook at issue in the case taught eugenics, including that man supposedly descended from lower life forms and that some racial groups had evolved to more advanced levels than others.

The [[ACLU]] challenged a Tennessee statute, the Butler Act, that imposed a fine for teaching in public school that man descended from more primitive life forms.  The statute did not prohibit teaching most aspects of evolution.  The textbook at issue in the case taught eugenics, including that man supposedly descended from lower life forms and that some racial groups had evolved to more advanced levels than others.

Bryan was an extraordinary speaker, recognized to be among the best in American history.  Darrow wanted to prevent Bryan from making a persuasive closing argument to the jury, and Darrow searched for another way to try to score points for his side.

Bryan was an extraordinary speaker, recognized to be among the best in American history.  Darrow wanted to prevent Bryan from making a persuasive closing argument to the jury, and Darrow searched for another way to try to score points for his side.

So Darrow stunned the court by requesting to cross-exam Bryan, in the hope that Bryan, like many attorneys, would be a poor witness.  Darrow's attempt was unprecedented, because trial attorneys almost never take the witness stand in their own cases.  Bryan agreed only on the condition that he could cross-examine Darrow.  Based on that agreement, Bryan took the witness stand.

So Darrow stunned the court by requesting to cross-examine Bryan, in the hope that Bryan, like many attorneys, would be a poor witness.  Darrow's attempt was unprecedented, because trial attorneys almost never take the witness stand in their own cases.  Bryan agreed only on the condition that he could cross-examine Darrow.  Based on that agreement, Bryan took the witness stand.

A witness in a trial is always at a disadvantage, because he can only answer questions that are posed by a hostile adversary.  Attorneys are particularly vulnerable, because their knowledge of the law and tendency to speak in legalese hinder their performance.

A witness in a trial is always at a disadvantage, because he can only answer questions that are posed by a hostile adversary.  Attorneys are particularly vulnerable, because their knowledge of the law and tendency to speak in legalese hinder their performance.

   

   

Darrow undoubtedly thought that he could turn Bryan into the proverbial buffoon that liberals wanted.  As the transcript reveals, Darrow managed to trick Bryan into admitting that the bible could be interpreted in multiple ways refuting Bryan's earlier responses which had demonstrated his steadfast adherence to the bible's miracles.

Darrow undoubtedly thought that he could turn Bryan into the proverbial buffoon that liberals wanted.  As the transcript reveals, Darrow managed to trick Bryan into admitting that the bible could be interpreted in multiple ways refuting Bryan's earlier responses which had demonstrated his steadfast adherence to the bible's miracles.  Since religion was the major argument against evolution at the time, getting a well-respected conservative to admit that the Bible could be interpreted more loosely than a history book was a victory for the evolution cause (although people just hated Darrow for "tricking" Bryan into saying it).

The cross examination between the two attorneys would have continued had it not been for the intervention of Judge Raulston.  Raulston did not believe that the whole examination had any relevance to the case, and dismissed it.

The cross examination between the two attorneys would have continued had it not been for the intervention of Judge Raulston.  Raulston did not believe that the whole examination had any relevance to the case, and dismissed it.

After 8 days of trial, the jury was able to make their decision after 9 minutes of deliberation.  Scopes was found guilty on July 21 and ordered to pay a fine of $100 US.  This was not that surprising considering that Tennessee is a highly religious and conservative area of the United States.

After 8 days of trial, the jury was able to make their decision after 9 minutes of deliberation.  Scopes was found guilty on July 21 and ordered to pay a fine of $100 US.  This was not that surprising considering that Tennessee is a highly religious and conservative area of the United States.