
Before the IRS: The Forgotten History of Tariffs, Prosperity, and Tax-Free Government
Nicholas Hunter
This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.
Imagine a time when the United States thrived without an income tax—when the government was funded entirely through tariffs and other indirect means. Before the IRS: The Forgotten History of Tariffs, Prosperity, and Tax-Free Government takes listeners on a journey through the fascinating and often overlooked era before the introduction of the Internal Revenue Service.
Long before income taxes became a fixture of American life, the federal government relied on tariffs to fund public projects, support infrastructure, and maintain national security. This audiobook explores how the tariff system fostered economic growth, protected domestic industries, and upheld the vision of a tax-free government that the Founding Fathers envisioned.
Through compelling stories and historical analysis, discover why tariffs were so vital to early American prosperity, how they shaped political debates, and what led to their gradual decline. Learn how the rise of the IRS and income taxation forever changed the relationship between citizens and the state, sparking debates about fairness, economic policy, and government power that continue to this day.
Perfect for history buffs, economic thinkers, and anyone curious about America’s financial past, Before the IRS challenges modern assumptions and reveals the untold story of a time when prosperity didn’t depend on taxing income.
Duration - 3h 20m.
Author - Nicholas Hunter.
Narrator - Digital Voice George E.
Published Date - Thursday, 09 January 2025.
Copyright - © 2025 Nicholas Hunter ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. Imagine a time when the United States thrived without an income tax—when the government was funded entirely through tariffs and other indirect means. Before the IRS: The Forgotten History of Tariffs, Prosperity, and Tax-Free Government takes listeners on a journey through the fascinating and often overlooked era before the introduction of the Internal Revenue Service. Long before income taxes became a fixture of American life, the federal government relied on tariffs to fund public projects, support infrastructure, and maintain national security. This audiobook explores how the tariff system fostered economic growth, protected domestic industries, and upheld the vision of a tax-free government that the Founding Fathers envisioned. Through compelling stories and historical analysis, discover why tariffs were so vital to early American prosperity, how they shaped political debates, and what led to their gradual decline. Learn how the rise of the IRS and income taxation forever changed the relationship between citizens and the state, sparking debates about fairness, economic policy, and government power that continue to this day. Perfect for history buffs, economic thinkers, and anyone curious about America’s financial past, Before the IRS challenges modern assumptions and reveals the untold story of a time when prosperity didn’t depend on taxing income. Duration - 3h 20m. Author - Nicholas Hunter. Narrator - Digital Voice George E. Published Date - Thursday, 09 January 2025. Copyright - © 2025 Nicholas Hunter ©.
Language:
English
Title
Duration:00:00:09
Preface
Duration:00:01:50
1 - The Fiscal Philosophy of the Founding Fathers
Duration:00:06:16
2 - Tariffs as the Engine of National Development
Duration:00:07:58
3 - Early Infrastructure Projects Funded by Tariffs
Duration:00:07:43
4 - The Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Eras Tariff Policies and Their Impact
Duration:00:08:31
5 - The Antebellum Period Economic Boom and the Limits of Tariff Revenue
Duration:00:07:14
6 - The Industrial Revolution and Tariff Protection
Duration:00:08:30
7 - The Tariff of Abominations and its Consequences
Duration:00:08:32
8 - Tariff Revenue and Infrastructure Development in the 19th Century
Duration:00:08:20
9 - The Civil War and its Impact on Fiscal Policy
Duration:00:08:12
10 - Post Civil War Reconstruction and Fiscal Challenges
Duration:00:07:57
11 - Economic Growth and Changing Fiscal Needs
Duration:00:08:25
12 - The Rise of Populism and its Critique of Tariffs
Duration:00:08:35
13 - Clevelands Fiscal Conservatism and Tariff Reform Efforts
Duration:00:07:55
14 - The Progressive Era and the Call for Tax Reform
Duration:00:06:33
15 - The Legacy of Tariff Based Finance in the Late the Century
Duration:00:07:41
16 - The Political and Economic Arguments for an Income Tax
Duration:00:08:50
17 - The Debate Over the 16th Amendment
Duration:00:07:37
18 - The Creation and Early Years of the IRS
Duration:00:08:19
19 - Early Implementation and Challenges of the Income Tax
Duration:00:07:56
20 - The Impact of World War I on the IRS and Tax Policy
Duration:00:07:56
21 - Comparing and Contrasting Tariff and Income Tax Systems
Duration:00:07:43
22 - The Tradeoffs Between Centralized and Decentralized Taxation
Duration:00:07:29
23 - The Relevance of Historical Wisdom for Contemporary Policy Debates
Duration:00:07:30
24 - Potential for a Modern Tariff Based System A Critical Assessment
Duration:00:07:31
25 - Conclusion The Enduring Legacy of American Fiscal History
Duration:00:08:56