Why America Had the Most Prosperous Middle Class in the History of the World

There was no federal income tax the first 137 years in America was a country.

Everything changed in 1913 with The Federal Reserve Act & 16th Amendment (Income Tax).

America’s wealth was built on productivity, and stolen by usury. pic.twitter.com/xtEHiodjY2

— Brett Pike (@ClassicLearner) December 17, 2025