The debate on evolution began in the 1910s with the increase of fossils and homin bones being found, and the enforcement of Christian teachings in public schools. In 1925, the debate most famously took place in Tennessee's Rhea County Courthouse known as the Scopes Trial. The trial resulted in Scopes, who included evolution in his curriculum was fined $100 and the anti-evolutionists were able to continue to exclude evolution in the classroom.

Clearly Upchurch (1870-1950) was not the only advocate for anti-evolution. William Jennings Bryan was a major supporter for anti-evolution and was part of the Scopes Trial. Six Southern and boarder states such as, Oklahoma and Florida were also opposed to evolution and passed legislation that kept evolution out of public schools.

Transcript for the poster is below the image.

For more on the 1920s evolution debate go to:

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/religion/revolution/1910.html

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/08/2/l_082_01.html

Public Domain

Documenting the American South

Upchurch, J. Sherwood. I Did Not Come from Him, Neither Did You!. [1926]. Campaign Poster. Documenting the American South, University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Accessed February 20, 2026.