Constitutional Studies: The Nccs Explained

The National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS), originally known as The Freeman Institute, was founded in 1971 to promote the principles of freedom and societal harmony as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. The NCCS has published several books and resources, including The 5000 Year Leap and The Making of America, which have gained popularity through endorsements by conservative media personalities. The NCCS also holds educational seminars and workshops to delve into the insights of America's founding fathers and the key principles governing human interaction. The NCCS has faced controversy over the content of its publications, including racist depictions and controversial interpretations of constitutional amendments.

Explore related products

Pocket Declaration & Constitution - 250th Anniversary Edition (25-Pack)

$38

Pocket Constitution (25 Pack): U.S. Constitution with Index & Declaration of Independence

$22.49 $35

The Constitution of the United States

$1.5

The United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence (Set of 10 Pocket Edition Booklets)

$17.99

The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence

$1.99 $6.95

Examples & Explanations for Constitutional Law: National Power and Federalism (Examples & Explanations Series)

$59.81 $76.95

The NCCS was born in 1971, originally known as The Freeman Institute

The National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) was established in 1971 as The Freeman Institute. The NCCS was born out of a growing disconnect from the "Freedom Formula" that its forefathers fought for. The NCCS's original purpose was to rediscover the foundational principles that birthed freedom in society and to perpetuate those freedoms. These principles are enshrined in the writings and documents penned by the Founding Fathers, including the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the United States Constitution (1787).

Over the years, the NCCS has remained dedicated to its educational role, empowering individuals with the knowledge and understanding needed to preserve the principles that define the nation. The NCCS achieves this through dynamic constitutional seminars, workshops, and evening gatherings, where participants delve into the insights of luminaries such as Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Franklin, and Washington. These visionaries crafted the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, creating enduring policies.

The NCCS has also published impactful books, such as "The 5,000 Year Leap" and "The Making of America," alongside other resources that illuminate the principles fostering freedom and protecting human rights. The NCCS's most recent book, "Behind the Bill of Rights" (2022), explores the core of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.

In addition to its educational efforts, the NCCS has also faced some controversies. In 1987, the NCCS-published textbook "The Making of America" by W. Cleon Skousen sparked outrage in California due to its racist content. The book included quotes from a 1934 essay on slavery that described black children using a racial slur and claimed that white slave owners were "the worst victims of slavery." This controversy was eventually resolved with an apology from the approving commission, who acknowledged their error in judgment.

Despite this setback, the NCCS has found support from influential allies and media personalities, such as Glenn Beck, who has used his platform to promote NCCS ideas and books, helping to bring their message to a wider audience.

The NCCS has published controversial books such as 'The Making of America'

The National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) is an organization that believes the founding of the United States was a divine miracle. The NCCS worldview and program are based on two major pillars: understanding the divine guidance that has allowed the United States to thrive, and rejecting what it views as the sometimes tyrannical or sinful deviations of the modern U.S. federal government from that divine mold.

The NCCS has its origins in 1967 when Skousen, a professor at Brigham Young University, organized an off-campus institute for constitutional studies. In 1971, this became The Freemen Institute, and it was later renamed the National Center for Constitutional Studies, with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The center ran conferences in the 1980s and 1990s through a non-profit called "The Making of America Conferences, Inc."

The NCCS has published several controversial books, including The Making of America by W. Cleon Skousen, which was approved by California's Bicentennial Commission to be sold as a fundraising device to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. The book included quotes from a 1934 essay on slavery by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fred Albert Shannon that described black children as "pickaninnies." It also stated that life for white Southerners was a "nightmare" due to "the constant fear of slave rebellion" and claimed that white slave owners were "the worst victims of slavery."

The controversy over the book led to demands for the removal of the three members of the Bicentennial Commission who had voted in favor of its sale. The issue was resolved after the commission issued an apology, stating that it had made a "serious error in judgment" by approving the sale.

In addition to The Making of America, the NCCS has published other books such as The 5,000 Year Leap, which became a bestseller due to advocacy from conservative media personalities like Glenn Beck. The NCCS has also presented seminars promoting controversial interpretations of the U.S. Constitution, such as the idea that the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, violated states' rights.

The NCCS has distributed pocket-sized US Constitutions

The National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS), originally known as The Freeman Institute, was founded in 1971. Its stated purpose is to unearth the foundational principles of societal harmony that birthed freedom in American society, as enshrined within the writings of the nation's founders and seminal documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Over the years, the NCCS has published several books and resources that strive to illuminate the principles fostering freedom and safeguarding human rights.

The NCCS's distribution of pocket constitutions is part of their dedication to empowering individuals with the knowledge and understanding essential for preserving the principles that define the nation. They believe that it is essential for citizens to know and understand the Constitution, especially in the current times. The pocket constitutions are well-made and promptly shipped, providing individuals with a convenient way to refer to the document whenever needed.

The NCCS has faced some controversies, such as the 1987 controversy in California over the NCCS-published textbook "The Making of America" by W. Cleon Skousen, which included racist content. Despite this, the NCCS has continued its work in distributing pocket constitutions and conducting educational seminars. They have also published recent books like "Behind the Bill of Rights" (2022), which delves into the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution.

Explore related products

12- Pocket United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence (Package of 12)

$15.99 $19.99

The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution

$20.33 $29.95

La Constitución de los Estados Unidos (Pocket Constitution, Spanish Translation) (Spanish Edition)

$1.5

The 5000 Year Leap

$9.51 $19.95

The Constitution of the United States of America: The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights

$9.99 $9.99

Ideas with Consequences: The Federalist Society and the Conservative Counterrevolution (Studies in Postwar American Political Development)

$27.65 $37.99

The NCCS has hosted seminars with questionable content, such as the 19th Amendment violating states' rights

The National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) is a conservative group that has been involved in several controversies over the years. One notable incident occurred in 1987 when the NCCS published the book "The Making of America" by W. Cleon Skousen, which included racist content and a description of black children as "pickaninnies". This book was approved for sale by California's Bicentennial Commission to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the US Constitution, sparking outrage and demands for the firing of those involved in its approval.

NCCS has also hosted seminars with questionable content. For example, at a 2010 seminar, participants were told that the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, violated states' rights. This claim is based on the idea that the Constitution originated from a governmental system adopted by Moses and later by the legendary Anglo-Saxon brothers Hengist and Horsa, and that Thomas Jefferson merely copied it.

The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, was the culmination of a long and arduous struggle for women's suffrage in the United States. It states that "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." While the amendment was a significant step forward for women's rights, it did not immediately grant voting rights to all women, particularly women of colour, due to the pervasive systemic racism in the South and other regions.

The NCCS's claim that the 19th Amendment violated states' rights is questionable and controversial. It is important to recognise that the Constitution is a living document that has evolved over time to reflect the changing values and beliefs of American society. The 19th Amendment represented a significant shift towards equality and the recognition of women's rights, and to argue that it violated states' rights undermines the progress and importance of this amendment.

NCCS seminars often promote a particular interpretation of the Constitution and the country's founding principles. They have been described as providing a powerful voice for the NCCS's ideas and publications, helping to bring them into the mainstream. The NCCS has also been criticised for its associations with other controversial groups, such as the John Birch Society, the Eagle Forum, and the Oath Keepers.

The NCCS has found organisational allies among groups like the John Birch Society

The National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) was established in 1971, originally known as The Freeman Institute. Its stated purpose is to uncover the fundamental principles of societal harmony that gave birth to freedom in society and will continue to perpetuate it. The NCCS has published several books, including "The 5000 Year Leap" and "The Making of America," which have been criticised for containing racist content.

NCCS seminars and workshops aim to provide a deep dive into America's "Great Success Formula," exploring the insights of luminaries such as Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Franklin, and Washington. However, some of the ideas presented at these seminars have been controversial. For example, participants were told that the Constitution was derived from a governmental system adopted by Moses and later by the legendary Anglo-Saxon brothers Hengist and Horsa before being copied by Thomas Jefferson.

The NCCS has also faced criticism for its stance on women's suffrage, claiming that the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, violated states' rights. This controversy, along with the content of their published books, has brought scrutiny upon the NCCS and its organisational allies.

Frequently asked questions