Difference Between a
Declaration of Independence
and a Constitution
We want
Independence!
LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
State Legislature
EXECUTIVE
BRANCH
Governor
JUDICIAL
BRANCH
Courts
Basic Facts
Declaration of
Independence
LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
State Legislature
EXECUTIVE
BRANCH
Governor
We want
Independence!
JUDICIAL
BRANCH
Courts
Constitution
When are the usually written?
When are the usually written?
 When the revolution is just
 After the declaration of
Purpose
Purpose
 To list the problems with their
 To try to solve the problems of
beginning
government
How it is organized:
 An introduction (called a
preamble)
 A list of grievances (complaints)
about their current government
 A statement of independence (p.
708)
independence
the government
How it is organized:
 An introduction (preamble)
 The articles (how the government
is set up)
 Amendments (including the Bill
of Rights; the first laws of the
new nation)
The Constitution for a new
nation is usually written before
the declaration of
independence.
 True

False
The biggest difference between a
constitution and a declaration of
independence is that a constitution
creates a new gov’t (solutions) and a
______________________
declaration of independence
explains to the gov’t why they want to
__________________________
fight (problems)
________________.
You sent an army to Texas to
fight with us just because we
wanted to protest some taxes.

Declaration
 Constitution
The new government of Texas
will have three branches of
government. (Executive,
Legislative and Judicial)
 Declaration

Constitution
The right of free speech is
guaranteed.
 Declaration

Constitution
Coahuila is the boss of Texas
and the state capital is too far
away.

Declaration
 Constitution
Presidents of the Republic of
Texas will serve three-year
terms.
 Declaration

Constitution
If you were going to declare
independence from your
parents, list one grievance that
you would include in that
document. (Be nice-ish)
Take a look at some of the rights
guaranteed by the Texas
Constitution. (p. 216 or p. 710)
Write one complete sentence
describing what you would have
done differently with one of the
items outlined in the Constitution.