What were the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence? The time frame is during the reign of King George III. He ascends to the throne at the tail end of an expensive global war. He felt that it was time for the American Colonists to help pay off some of his debt. Theologically, The founders felt that there were inalienable rights which were given by God. There is a revelation that tells us what is right and what is wrong. The founders apparently understood the biblical doctrine of man's total depravity. Participants: Dr. Hans Vought, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf