Which came first the flat tax or the progressive tax though out history nations have

[tradeunionsupporter]

Which came first the flat tax or the progressive tax though out history nations have used taxes but which tax system existed first also did Karl Marx invent the Progressive Tax in the 1800's ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax

[RichardAWilson]

The first income tax was passed by the English in 1404. It was a flat tax on wages. It wouldn't be long before this tax was rescinded.

The idea for progressive income taxation was around long before Marx. However, it can be claimed that Marxism popularized the idea among Social-Democrats, Socialists and Left-Liberal Reformists.

The first progressive income tax was launched by the English in 1798. The progressive tax of 1798, known as Pitt's progressive tax, was abolished in 1802.