100 Years Later, This Historic Trial Still Holds a Lesson for Democrats.

The 1925 Scopes Trial wasn’t just about evolution—it exposed a cultural rift between modernist urban values and rural tradition that still haunts the Democratic Party today. From Moms for Liberty to Project 2025, current battles over education mirror the past. This blog explores how humility, populism, and meaningful outreach—not ideology—could help Democrats rebuild trust across the divide.

A century after the Scopes trial, its lessons on cultural conflict, education, and political outreach remain profoundly relevant for the Democratic Party as it seeks to re-engage rural voters and navigate ongoing ideological divides in the U.S.

A sweltering Tennessee courtroom in 1925 played host to more than a legal drama; it was the stage for one of the fiercest battles over knowledge, identity, and politics in American life. Though decades have rolled by, the echoes of the Scopes trial refuse to fade away. In a twist of fate—or stubborn repetition—Democrats today face cultural divides uncannily similar to those made infamous a century prior. For anyone who wants to understand why rural voters and urban progressives so often seem at odds, a detour through Dayton, Tennessee offers more insight than you might expect. (True story: My grandfather swore he once met a janitor who claimed to mop that very courthouse floor!)

Scopes Trial 1925: More Than a Monkey Business Sideshow

The Scopes trial 1925 stands as one of the most iconic legal battles in American history, not just for its courtroom drama but for the cultural fault lines it exposed. In July 1925, John Scopes, a 24-year-old high school teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, found himself at the center of a national controversy. He was charged with violating the Butler Act Tennessee law, which prohibited teaching the theory of evolution in public schools. This case, orchestrated by the American Civil Liberties Union, was never just about one man or one lesson plan—it was about who gets to decide what America’s children learn.

The trial quickly became a spectacle, drawing national attention. On one side stood William Jennings Bryan, a three-time presidential candidate and a champion of Christian fundamentalism, leading the prosecution. On the other was Clarence Darrow, a famed defense attorney known for his wit and his commitment to modernist ideals. Their courtroom clash—often referred to as the William Jennings Bryan Clarence Darrow debate—was more than a legal contest; it was a duel of worldviews, pitting religious traditionalism against scientific progress.

The Scopes trial significance extends far beyond its verdict. While Scopes was found guilty and fined $100, the Tennessee Supreme Court later overturned his conviction on a technicality. Yet, the trial’s real impact was cultural. It was the first American trial broadcast live on radio, bringing the proceedings into homes across the country. This use of mass media was groundbreaking, amplifying the evolution teaching controversy and making the fundamentalist-modernist controversy a matter of public debate. As research shows, this was a pivotal moment in the growing influence of mass media on American society and politics.

Journalist H.L. Mencken, covering the trial for a national audience, famously described Bryan as “deluded by a childish theology, full of an almost pathological hatred of all learning.”

H.L. Mencken: ‘Bryan was deluded by a childish theology, full of an almost pathological hatred of all learning.’

Mencken’s sharp pen and the reach of radio made the trial feel personal, even to those far from Dayton. His commentary reflected the disdain many urban liberals felt toward rural fundamentalists—a sentiment that, as studies indicate, still echoes in modern American politics.

At its core, the Scopes trial 1925 tested the constitutionality of the Butler Act and ignited a national conversation about religious freedom, science, and education policy. The trial’s legacy is the enduring debate over who controls the curriculum in public schools—a question that remains fiercely contested today. The fundamentalist modernist controversy, first spotlighted in Dayton, continues to shape American political and cultural life, influencing debates over everything from evolution to climate change and beyond.

Culture Wars That Outlast a Century: The Urban-Rural Divide and Education Control

A hundred years after the Scopes Trial, the cultural divide between urban and rural America remains a defining feature of education control in American politics. The 1925 trial, which challenged Tennessee’s Butler Act banning the teaching of evolution, was more than a courtroom drama—it was a public showdown between modernist urban values and rural religious tradition. Today, the echoes of that conflict are unmistakable in debates over education policies in America, especially as groups like Moms for Liberty and initiatives such as Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation push for greater parental control over school curricula.

The question of who should decide what schools teach is still fiercely contested. William Jennings Bryan, who prosecuted the Scopes case, argued that “the people … control the educational system which they have created and which they tax themselves to support.” This sentiment is alive and well among many rural voters and conservative activists. Research shows that parents’ rights and ‘local control’ are central issues for both right-wing groups and rural communities, fueling ongoing education policy battles.

• Moms for Liberty education policies focus on removing content they see as contrary to traditional values, including books on LGBTQ topics and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
• Project 2025 Heritage Foundation education proposals go further, advocating for public funding of private and religious schools and giving parents the power to shape what children learn—even on topics like climate change, racism, and evolution.

This struggle is not just about curriculum. It reflects a deeper suspicion among rural Americans toward urban elites and intellectuals—a legacy of the Scopes era. Many rural voters, whose rural identity political affiliation is closely tied to faith and tradition, feel misunderstood or looked down upon by the cosmopolitan leaders of the Democratic Party. Studies indicate that this cultural divide urban rural America is a major barrier for Democrats seeking to connect with rural voters.

The tension between secular experts and religious traditionalists is as sharp as ever. While urban Democrats often champion freedom of thought and expertise in classrooms, many rural parents see these efforts as threats to their values. The result is a standoff: progressive calls for open inquiry meet conservative demands for parental oversight and local control.

Interestingly, the populist energy that once animated figures like Bryan—who combined religious conviction with progressive economic policies—finds new expression in today’s political landscape. Some Democrats, like Bernie Sanders and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, are trying to bridge the gap by focusing on practical issues such as healthcare and economic opportunity, rather than cultural flashpoints. Yet, the shadow of the Scopes Trial lingers, reminding us that education control in American politics is inseparable from the broader cultural divide urban rural.

William Jennings Bryan: “the people … control the educational system which they have created and which they tax themselves to support.”

As the 2026 House races approach, the challenge for the Democratic Party is clear: to address not just economic inequality, but also the enduring mistrust and identity politics that shape rural voters’ attitudes toward education policies America continues to debate.

Empathy, Populism, and the Stubborn Realities Facing Democrats Today

A century after the Scopes Trial, the cultural and economic divides it exposed still echo in American politics. The trial, which pitted modern science against traditional values, highlighted a deep rift between urban and rural America—a divide that continues to shape political loyalties and strategies within the Democratic Party. Today, populism in the Democratic Party is being redefined by the need to address both economic inequality and rural identity, as research shows these factors are crucial for Democratic renewal.

The economic inequality between rural and urban voters remains a stubborn reality. Rural Americans, whose incomes routinely lag behind those of city dwellers, have seen decades of lost union jobs in industries like coal and manufacturing. This growing gap has fueled resentment and a sense of “stolen pride,” as sociologist Arlie Hochschild describes—a lasting feeling that urban elites look down on rural communities. Such resentment is not just about policy; it’s about respect and identity.

Efforts like the Biden Inflation Reduction Act rural impact were designed to address these disparities. The law aimed to bring jobs and investment to rural areas, but many of its benefits were slow to reach those who needed them most. This delay left the legislation vulnerable to political attacks and contributed to ongoing skepticism among rural voters. As Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat representing a rural Washington district, warned,

“Thousands … stand to lose health care — and rural hospitals across southwest Washington are expected to lose tens of millions of dollars.”

In response, some Democrats are shifting their approach. Leaders like Bernie Sanders and Gluesenkamp Perez are modeling a form of pragmatic, empathetic outreach that focuses on practical needs rather than culture war battles. Sanders, for example, emphasizes universal health coverage and higher taxes on the wealthy—policies that resonate across rural and urban lines. Gluesenkamp Perez zeroes in on issues like health care access and the fight against fentanyl imports, reflecting a clear understanding of her constituents’ daily struggles.

This approach marks a departure from the tendency to engage in ideological grandstanding. Instead, it’s about humility—recognizing that policy alone cannot heal wounds of pride or bridge cultural divides. Democratic outreach to conservative voters must therefore combine economic solutions with genuine respect for rural identity and values. As history shows, rural voters have at times aligned with progressive populism, especially when their economic needs were met and their identities acknowledged.

The lesson for Democratic Party rural voter strategies is clear: practical policies matter, but so does empathy. Addressing economic need and respecting rural identity are not just political tactics—they are essential for building trust and renewing the party’s connection with voters outside urban centers. As debates over education, culture, and economic opportunity continue, the legacy of the Scopes Trial reminds Democrats that humility and pragmatic populism offer the most promise for bridging America’s enduring divides.

Lessons from Dayton—Why Trying Still Matters in a Divided America

A century after the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, the lessons it offers for Democrats remain as relevant as ever. The trial was never just about science versus religion; it was a national moment that exposed deep cultural divides—urban versus rural, modernist versus traditionalist, expert versus populist. Today, these divides still shape American politics, especially in the struggle for rural votes and the challenge of Democratic Party outreach.

The impact of the Scopes trial on modern politics can be seen in the persistent mistrust many rural and small-town voters feel toward the Democratic Party. Research shows that this mistrust is not simply about policy disagreements, but about a sense of being looked down upon by “cosmopolitan” politicians and experts. The echoes of H.L. Mencken’s sneers from Dayton still ring in the ears of many who feel left behind by economic and cultural change. Yet, history also shows that these divides are not unbridgeable. During the New Deal era, populist alliances formed between rural Christians and liberal Democrats, despite profound differences in worldview. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ambitious economic programs, which brought electricity and relief to rural communities, won over many who might otherwise have remained skeptical.

This history offers a crucial lesson for Democratic Party outreach today. The party’s renewal depends on balancing pragmatic populism with ongoing cultural outreach. It is not enough to denounce anti-intellectualism or to defend expertise from afar. Nor is it realistic to expect every rural voter to be won over by progressive sermons. As the Scopes trial demonstrated, meaningful engagement—listening, understanding, and addressing real concerns—matters more than ideological purity. The true legacy of Dayton is not about winning every argument, but about refusing to give up on the hard work of bridging divides.

Modern rural voter strategies must reflect this reality. Politicians like Bernie Sanders and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez have shown that focusing on practical issues—healthcare, jobs, and economic fairness—can resonate across cultural lines. Their approach is not about converting every skeptic, but about building enough trust and common ground to govern effectively. As studies indicate, bridging divides isn’t about winning every soul, but about winning enough hearts to make a difference.

Of course, there will always be voters who, despite appreciating populist policies, remain loyal to parties that reflect their religious or cultural identity. Yet, for a party whose very name means “rule of the people,” political surrender is not an option. The lesson from Dayton is clear: meaningful outreach, not sermons, is the path forward. In a divided America, trying still matters. The Democratic Party’s future depends on its willingness to keep reaching out, to keep listening, and to keep striving to unite a nation that has always been, in some ways, divided—but never beyond hope.

TL;DR: The Scopes trial’s centennial is more than history; for Democrats hoping to reconnect with rural America, it’s a lesson in empathy, nuance, and the enduring power of cultural identity.

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