Scopes Trial
A case in which a teacher was accused of teaching human evolution
Real World Example
The Scopes Trial, also known as the "Monkey Trial," took place in 1925 and highlighted the tension between traditional beliefs and modern science during the Roaring Twenties. John T. Scopes, a teacher, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act, which prohibited teaching human evolution in public schools. This trial emphasized the conflict between religious fundamentalism and the progressive ideas of the time, a debate that continues today regarding education and scientific understanding. These tensions are still relevant as people discuss topics like climate change and vaccine science, where scientific evidence sometimes clashes with personal beliefs or misinformation. In everyday life, these debates impact decisions on what children learn in school and how society addresses issues requiring scientific solutions.
