The Scopes Trial - Evolution and Science Clash in the Roaring Twenties

LESSON PLAN for this Episode:
www.history4humans.com/produc...
The Scopes Trial and the clashing cultures of the 1920s are the focus of this amazing story-lecture from History For Humans.. Evolution and science against the church and fundamentalism, jazz vs Genesis, and rural vs urban all were present in the carnival atmosphere of the trial that represented so much of the changing times of the 1920s. This episode goes through Darwin's Origin of Species, the Butler Act, and changing values that took hold in urban America during the twenties and how this led to the rise of the KKK, the first Red Scare, and the Palmer Raids as a backlash against jazz, the flappers, the wets, and new consumer culture.
For teachers and homeschool parents, I have resources that go with this lesson that include interactive notesheets, a quick quiz, and an extension lesson involving the reading of two case studies of the 1920s- the Red Scare and the Scopes Trial, students answer comprehension questions, and then make connections to today to think critically and connect with history in a meaningful way. Engaging and enriching!
I do hope you enjoy it.
-dan

[@charlesseiderman29]

If this trial were held today, it would be much different, with what we now know!

[@NoiTuLovE64]

What is rarely ever brought up in "Scopes trial assessments" is that this is the very first trial that was broadcast nationwide within a year of radio going nationwide. A little more light on a trial that had 4 holly wood versions of the same movie over the years. As if America had to see this British author's theory as a "debate" introduced in our schools, now the new dogma.

[@drzarkov39]

I am surprised there is no mention of H. L. Mencken, the Baltimore Sun reporter who coined the name "Monkey Trial". He wrote a daily column covering the trial, as well as reading his column over the radio, thereby bringing the publicity of the trial to the nation. The play "Inherit The Wind" fictionalized him as E. K. Hornbeck. By the way, the prosecutor for the State Of Tennessee was Sue Hicks, whose name many people think was songwriter Shel Silverstein's inspiration for Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue".

[@historyforhumans905]

Thanks for all that. I have to really limit what I can bring up in the video with the target audience being high school students- too many names and they could get lost lol. Focus in the story is the key. :)

[@barrenecheaolivia1652]

Thank you, now I love history! 😍

[@historyforhumans905]

That comment made my day! Thanks so much :)

[@annlang9632]

History as it should be told! Great lesson!!

[@historyforhumans905]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@drzarkov39]

This is incomplete history, as the case went to the Tennessee Supreme Court, where it was overturned and deemed a mistrial, as the judge had no right to issue a fine. That was up to the jury. The case was never retried.

[@jerirasulo9543]

I was just watching a documentary on evolution that said from this trial, the lawyer made Christianity appear stupid. And it said this is how evolution got to be so widely accepted. It was in the crazy, conventional idea busting roaring 20's. Makes sense. Esp the silly theory of evolution, with no evidence other than a skeleton ( Piilman, that turned out to have been a human brain and an apes skill joined together) was rationally presented to the public and actually got a hearing. All during the wild and wacky roaring 20's.

[@NursedtoHealth]

Wow this channel is severely underrated, you hate to see it ):

[@historyforhumans905]

Well thank you! I tend to agree lol :)

[@syzygy808]

History will always repeat eh? When will we ever learn? 😅

[@historyforhumans905]

as twain stated, 'it doesn't repeat, but it often rhymes.'

[@lonniew3333]

Good content. But, it seems a little bias.

[@historyforhumans905]

How so?

[@404errorcodeV]

yes. yes it can. it's 2022 now and it's still happening. the USA political party GOP has adopted the colour red and act like this and treat others terribly. if this wasnt in b/w i wouldnt of been able to tell the difference between those religious people and the USA alt right of 2022.

[@historyforhumans905]

There are definitely many continuities in the political and social landscape today.

[@lonniew3333]

I'm black , Christian and I think DEMONcrats are the party of hate. What does the color Red has to do with the GOP? The DemoRATS love the color blue so does that make them affiliated with the Crips?