Why did many Tennesseeans support the 1925 Butler Act, which forbade the teaching of evolution? Using several primary source documents and a brief video clip, your young historians will draw connections between the broader historical context of the period and the events of the Scopes trial. 

Concepts

the 1920s, tennessee, evolution, creationism, the scopes trial, the american civil liberties union, clarence darrow, william jennings bryan

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Consider beginning by providing learners with an understanding of the basic premise of creationism, as well as acquainting them with the general historical context of America in the 1920s

Classroom Considerations

• Check out the left-hand menu for more extended units (i.e. 3-day and 5-day), as well as more nuanced and detailed instruction, on American support for the Butler Act and fundamental skills of historical analysis

Pros

• Excellent historical analysis materials provided by publisher
• All activity documents and media included

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.7 RH.9-10.10 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.6 RH.11-12.7 WHST.9-10.2.a WHST.11-12.2.a