American History Tellers: Evolution on Trial | Live and Let Live | Episode 4
Host: Lindsey Graham
Guest: Brenda Winapple, author of Keeping the God, Democracy and the Trial that Riveted a Nation
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Introduction: The Scopes Trial Centennial
In this commemorative episode, American History Tellers delves into the 100th anniversary of the Scopes Trial, a pivotal moment in American history that epitomized the clash between science and religion, as well as the broader societal tensions of the 1920s. Host Lindsey Graham engages with Brenda Winapple to unravel the complexities and enduring legacy of this landmark case.
1920s America: A Decade of Contrasts
Brenda Winapple sets the stage by describing the 1920s as a period often romanticized as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age. However, beneath the surface of economic prosperity and cultural flourishing lay significant social unrest and fear. Winapple notes:
"There was a massive rise in violence against black people. The Ku Klux Klan was enormously powerful at this particular time." [06:00]
The era was marked by Prohibition, labor strikes, economic disparities, and the looming specter of communism during the Red Scare. These tensions created a fertile ground for the controversies that would later define the Scopes Trial.
The Aftermath of the Red Summer of 1919
The Red Summer of 1919, characterized by bomb scares and the Palmer Raids—mass arrests of suspected communists—left an indelible mark on American society. Winapple explains how these events heightened fears of radicalism and instability:
"The Scopes trial is a funnel for all the fear, all the anxiety, the changes... of the decade." [07:22]
This backdrop of fear and societal change influenced the motivations behind legislation like the Butler Act and the strategies of organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The ACLU's Role and the Butler Act
Founded in 1920 by Roger Baldwin, the ACLU aimed to protect civil liberties through strategic legal challenges. The Butler Act, passed in Tennessee in 1925, prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools. Winapple details the ACLU's intentions:
"They wanted to educate people and they wanted to protect people whose rights had been violated." [09:24]
The ACLU saw the Butler Act as a direct threat to academic freedom and sought to challenge its constitutionality by sponsoring a test case, echoing their earlier efforts during the Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee.
The Scope of the Scopes Trial: Beyond Secularism vs. Religion
While often framed as a battle between science and religion, Winapple argues that the Scopes Trial was a proxy for broader societal conflicts:
"Evolution becomes a proxy for other issues... freedom, censorship, school, the rights of the individual, all become wrapped up in a discussion about science and expertise." [12:34]
The trial encapsulated debates over academic freedom, governmental control, and the tension between traditional beliefs and modern scientific thought.
Dayton, Tennessee: The Circus Town
Dayton transformed into a hub of national attention as hundreds flocked to witness the trial. Winapple describes the town's embrace of the controversy as a means to boost its economy:
"The people of Dayton, Tennessee were happy to have all of this commotion. It got a little excessive, but they were glad to have the attention." [14:05]
The influx of journalists, spectators, and vendors turned the trial into a spectacle, reflecting the sensationalism that surrounded the event.
Key Figures: William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow
William Jennings Bryan: A three-time Democratic presidential nominee and a staunch fundamentalist, Bryan viewed evolution as intertwined with moral decay and societal ills. Winapple emphasizes his dual role as both ideologically driven and a political opportunist:
"He was also comfortable with the Ku Klux Klan... he defended them at the Democratic National Convention, 1924." [22:39]
Clarence Darrow: An agnostic and renowned defense attorney, Darrow took on the Scopes Test Case to defend academic and individual freedoms. Known as the "attorney for the damned," Darrow's approach was not just legal but also philosophical:
"He wore a very interesting pin. It said, 'Live and Let Live.'" [29:44]
Darrow viewed the trial as a battleground for democracy and constitutional rights, aiming to challenge the legality of the Butler Act and defend John Scopes.
Evangelical Influences: Amy Semple McPherson and Billy Sunday
The trial was propelled by influential evangelical figures who played pivotal roles in shaping public opinion against the teaching of evolution.
- Amy Semple McPherson: A charismatic female evangelist who utilized early radio to reach thousands, McPherson supported Bryan and had her congregation pray for his success in the trial.
"She welcomed everyone into the church. But she was adamantly against evolution." [25:16]
- Billy Sunday: A dynamic ex-baseball player turned fiery preacher, Sunday was known for his theatrical sermons and vehement opposition to Darwinism.
"He called it a godforsaken hellboy bastard theory." [26:24]
The Climactic Courtroom Showdown
One of the most memorable moments of the trial occurred on the last day when Darrow surprising all by bringing Bryan to the witness stand. As the courtroom became too crowded, the proceedings moved outside under the sweltering July sun. In a dramatic exchange, Darrow questioned Bryan about the literal interpretation of the Bible's creation story:
"Do you really believe that God created the universe in six days?" [34:09]
Bryan's attempt to soften his stance by suggesting "it could be an era" backfired, undermining his fundamentalist position and shocking the audience.
Outcome and Public Perception
Although John Scopes was found guilty, the trial served as a significant victory for the defense in the court of public opinion. Winapple describes the verdict as a "victorious defeat" for the ACLU and its allies:
"Darrow, who had tried the case in the court of public opinion, he really won public opinion. And Bryan had been... humiliated." [35:27]
This shift highlighted a growing national divide between modernist and fundamentalist values, despite the legal loss.
William Jennings Bryan's Death and Its Aftermath
Tragically, Bryan died just days after the trial concluded. His death had a complex impact:
- For Fundamentalists: Bryan was immortalized as a martyr who stood against modernism and secularism.
"He was felled in the trial just like the son of God. So he was written about in very glowing terms as heroic and sacrificial." [36:32]
- For Critics: His legacy was seen as hypocritical and offensive, especially among marginalized communities.
"A black columnist... said Negroes have nothing to treasure out of the Life of William Jennings Bryan." [36:32]
Legacy of the Scopes Trial
The Scopes Trial remains a watershed moment in American history, symbolizing the ongoing tension between science and religion, and between progressive and conservative values. Winapple asserts that its significance extends beyond the immediate legal implications:
"What's at stake is the nature and the meaning of America and what it means to be in America and specifically to live in a democracy which enshrines in its constitution freedom to worship or not worship." [40:18]
The trial underscored the necessity of protecting academic freedom and individual liberties within a democratic society.
John Scopes After the Trial
Despite becoming a national figure, John Scopes preferred to lead a quiet life post-trial. He pursued a career in geology and avoided the limelight, embodying his belief in personal liberty:
"He said, liberty is always under threat, and it takes eternal vigilance to make." [40:09]
Scopes' desire for anonymity highlights the personal costs of becoming a symbol in a national debate.
Conclusion: The Enduring Importance of the Scopes Trial
As the centennial of the Scopes Trial approaches, its legacy serves as a reminder of the fragile balance between individual freedoms and societal norms. Brenda Winapple emphasizes the trial's continued relevance:
"You can only be free if I am free." [40:18]
The Scopes Trial exemplifies the enduring struggle to define the boundaries of education, belief, and freedom in America.
Upcoming: In the next season, American History Tellers will explore the insurrection of Aaron Burr, delving into his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton and his subsequent rise to power, culminating in a trial that would reshape American politics.
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