DARWINISM AND THE SCOPES MONKEY TRIALEvolution can be defined in different ways, depending on how you view it, such as when discussing the evolution of a population with respect to global developments. the species level. Charles Darwin described evolution in its simplest terms as "descent with modification." He said that all species are similar because they are closely related by descent, and that changes between species arise from varying reproductive success between individual organisms that display genetic differences in traits. Although we now know much more about evolution than Darwin did, in his day he knew much more than many others and his thinking was on the right track. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England, in 1809. From an early age, young Charles was interested in natural history. Soon after graduating from Cambridge in 1831, Darwin was recommended for a scientific expedition to study geology and biology in the Pacific and South America. This voyage stopped at the Galapagos Islands, and while there, Darwin observed that different species of finches inhabited different islands. This observation led him to consider that the finches were adapting to their distinct environments. Darwin collected specimens from different species and concluded that each evolved from a pre-existing animal with slight variations in size, color, or anatomy. He knew that many details of evolution were yet to be discovered, and on November 24, 1859, he published his treatise On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection, or on the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life. Darwin believed in the principle of natural selection. He knew that when environmental conditions are favorable and allow the survival of all offspring, the number of individuals in a population tends to increase exponentially and that evolution occurs through the gradual change in the hereditary composition of a species. He based this conclusion on his observations of gradual variation between individuals, varieties, subspecies, and species. Darwin said that his principle applied not only to less developed animals but also to humans. This would mean that his theory proposed that humans descended from apes. Before 1859, when Charles Darwin introduced his new theory on the creation of man, the majority of the population believed that God created the world and although many people rebelled against his theory, many others considered this idea a new and welcome belief . However, the question of whether an omnipotent God created the universe and people, or whether people evolved from apes, remained a heated topic for years to come. This argument led to the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925. Darwin died 43 years before the Scopes Trial, but the effects of his work forever changed human culture and were the driving force behind the Scopes Monkey Trial. The Scopes Monkey Trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee at the Rhea County Courthouse. The trial began after John Scopes, a substitute biology teacher, was accused of breaking the Butler Act. The Butler Act was an act that prohibited the teaching of the Theory of Evolution in all colleges and public schools in Tennessee, who receive public funding from the state, and says all violators will be subject to fines for their violations. Section two of the law specifically states that “any teacher found guilty of violating this law, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and in the event ofconviction, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars (100.00) nor more than five hundred ($500.00) dollars for each offense.” John Scopes was taken to court and tried for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution at a school in Dayton, Tennessee. Dayton Tennessee was a small town, and many Daytonians saw the Scopes trial as an opportunity to put their town on the map. Under normal circumstances, the law would not have been challenged, but George Rappleyea, a staunch evolutionist and local businessman from Rhea County, hatched a plan, who saw the lawsuit as a way to attract money and attention to the small town, helping it to revive its struggling economy. In the process, the normally quiet but prosperous town became, for about two hot weeks in July, a carnival of lemonade and hotdog stands, monkey banners and banners, caged monkeys, peddlers of religious tracts and biology textbooks, saints rollers and evangelists, and hundreds of journalists. Dayton was, however, a very religious community, and with nine churches in town, it was clear why people didn't want evolution taught in classrooms. H. L. Mencken, a writer who once visited the city, said it was "full of charm and even a certain beauty", but also complained that due to its strong religious beliefs the city "had no smugglers, no games gambling, nor places to dance, and that no fancy women. During the trial, however, it was said that the city "was literally drunk with religious excitement". had flocked to watch Dayton's most historic event play and work just as he had hoped. The city's attention was coming from all sides as the trial began. William Jennings Bryan, now a legend in American politics for almost 30 years old, he was perhaps the most fervent voice in the nation against Darwin's theories. He saw the theory of evolution, which he called “monkey,” as an incomparable threat to the sanctity of the human condition. evolution teaching from public schools asked by prosecutors to help present the case against Scopes, Bryan readily agreed. Bryan, who had recently arrived on a train from Illinois, was known as "The Great Commoner." A well-known member of Congress, Bryan was also a three-time Democratic candidate for president and Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson. Bryan was a fundamentalist, believing strongly in the Bible. Throughout the South, his views were embraced by many. Over the previous two years, he had put aside his work as a lawyer to spread his opinions. He came to Dayton more to speak publicly about his beliefs than to offer legal advice, but once he arrived he quickly changed his mind, seeing an opportunity to do so. make history and further spread his teachings. Serving as Bryan's nemesis was Clarence Darrow, America's most famous lawyer of the time. A self-styled unbeliever, Darrow was considered by many to be an atheist although, born in rural Ohio, he was. he considered himself an agnostic. Clarence Darrow arrived in Dayton just one day before the trial was to begin. Darrow was well known at the time for defending labor leaders, radicals, and many high-profile murderers were likely Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, the two wealthy Chicago teenagers convicted of the murder of a schoolmate, whom Darrow had helped escape the death penalty. Darrow saw Leopold and Loeb's case as a unique opportunity to fight the death penalty. This case was getting so much publicity across the country and world that it was.