The Radical Whigs were "a group of British political commentators" who played a relevant role in the American Revolution. Their republican writings were widely read by the American colonists, who learned from their reading that they should be very watchful for any threats to their liberties. Because of this, when England began to burden the colonies with taxes, such as the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, and Tea Act, the Americans reacted with great indignation, which eventually led them to break away from England and become the United States. Before the Revolution: The 13 colonies are in red, the pink area was claimed by Great Britain after the French and Indian War, and the orange region was claimed by Spain. ... This article is on the political theory of republicanism. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Religion... A tax is an involuntary fee paid by individuals or businesses to a government. ... A Stamp Act is a law passed by a government that requires tax to be paid on the transfer of certain documents such as property deeds. ... The Sugar Act or Molasses Act was a 1733 Act of the British Parliament. ... The Tea Act, passed in 1773, allowed the British East India Company to sell tea to the colonies without the usual colonial tax, thereby allowing them to undercut the prices of the colonial merchants and smugglers. ...