Analysis Of The Scopes Monkey Trial

The decade of the 1920s, also referred to as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age, emerged after the end of the Great War, signifying the developing changes and growth of the United States. America became a booming society as more people began living in big cities as opposed to rural areas, new entertainment and pastimes were established, such as sports and movies, as a result of the increased leisure time, and the roles and views of women in society began to shift as women appeared more flamboyant and were able to obtain different jobs. Also, a new image of African Americans arose and large influxes of immigrants began populating the United States. However, with great changes also followed great opposition. Many ‘old’ Americans desired for …show more content…
For instance, as portrayed through the Tennessee Evolution Case of 1925, the World’s Most Famous Case, the concept of evolution contradicted the beliefs of the Christians and generated much apprehension between the two beliefs [Doc B]. This trial, also known as the Scopes ‘Monkey’ Trial, arose from a conflict involving a teacher by the name of John Scopes who was asked by the American Civil Liberties Union to challenge the Butler Law, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in schools. Scopes defied the law and was brought into court, where he was defended by Clarence Darrow. The prosecution side of the trial was fulfilled by Fundamentalist Christian, William Jennings Bryan. After much argument between Darrow and Bryan, Scopes was eventually found guilty and fined $100. The disagreement over traditional Christian beliefs and newly developing ideas of evolution sparked much controversy between traditionalists and modernists, bringing into question the validity of each idea, which angered the Christians. Similarly, as revealed through Marrow Mayo’s “Aimee Rises from the Sea”, many new styles and forms of religions were emerging that challenged the previous customs and beliefs [Doc G]. Aimee McPherson was an evangelist and media sensation who founded the Foursquare Church. McPherson would preach powerful sermons of salvation that attracted large crowds of people. With the …show more content…
Firstly, as demonstrated through Mary B. Mullett’s “The Biggest Thing That Lindbergh Has Done”, America was a country that honored courage and modesty [Doc E]. Charles Lindbergh became an American hero after crossing the Atlantic Ocean on the Spirit of St. Louis. His flight projected America as courageous and intelligent. America could also be seen as a leader and projected as the best country, causing the other nations to become jealous. These new emotions created a new sense of nationalism among Americans, which sparked much joy and eventually led to racial conflicts. Specifically, as publicized through Hiram Wesley Evans’ “The Klan’s Fight for Americanism”, America needed to be purified of all other races to protect the Nordic race, as well as protected from liberal who betrayed the American society [Doc C]. As a member and supporter of the Klu Klux Klan, Hiram Wesley Evans represents bias since he strongly opposes the occupation of nonwhites in America and feels the need to cleanse the nation of outsiders. With the new booming American society, immigrants began flowing into the United States, which brought great fear to many traditional Americans towards the idea of outside influences. Numerous ‘old’ Americans desired for the United States to become isolationist, and as a result issued the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 which restricted immigration