Final answer:
The 1925 law that prohibited the teaching of evolution in Tennessee is called the Butler Act. This law was central to the Scopes Monkey Trial, in which teacher John Scopes was defended by Clarence Darrow against charges brought by William Jennings Bryan. The trial became a symbol of the conflict between science and religion in public education.
Step-by-step explanation:
1925 Tennessee Law Prohibiting Evolution Teaching
The law that prohibited the teaching of evolution in Tennessee in 1925 was known as the Butler Act. This act made it unlawful 'to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals'.
The enforcement of this law led to the highly publicized Scopes Monkey Trial, where teacher John Scopes was tried for violating the law by teaching evolution. The trial highlighted the cultural tensions between conservative Christian fundamentalists and more secular, liberal Americans.
Clarence Darrow, a celebrated defense attorney, represented John Scopes, while William Jennings Bryan, supported by fundamentalists, defended the Butler Act. The trial became a debate over educational freedom and religious beliefs. Despite being found guilty and fined, Scopes's penalty was later overturned on a technicality. The trial is emblematic of the 'culture wars' of the era and a pivotal moment in the discussion of science and religion in public education.
Impact of the Scopes Trial
The Scopes trial served as a prominent stage for discussing the legality of teaching evolution and had significant cultural implications. It is remembered as a clash between modernity and traditional values, stirring national debate on the role of science and religion in society.