Bachelor Tax
Location :
Ancient Rome, Illinois (1930s)
Impact :
Had limited success in increasing marriage rates and was often seen as unfair or punitive.
How it worked:
Imposed to encourage marriage, it taxed unmarried men. In Ancient Rome, Emperor Augustus implemented it, and some U.S. states briefly considered it during the Great Depression.
Summary:
The Bachelor Tax, imposed in various times and places, was designed to encourage marriage by taxing unmarried men. In Ancient Rome, Emperor Augustus implemented this tax to promote social stability and population growth.
Similarly, during the Great Depression, some U.S. states considered such a tax to encourage marriage and support families. However, these taxes often had limited success and were viewed as unfair and punitive by those affected.
The history of the Bachelor Tax underscores the complexities of using taxation to influence social behavior.
The Single's Levy
TRIVIA QUESTIONS
When was the Single's Levy introduced in Illinois?
1930s
What was the primary reason for introducing the Single's Levy in Illinois?
To raise additional revenue during the Great Depression
Which group of people was primarily targeted by the Single's Levy in Illinois?
Unmarried men and women
How was the Single's Levy collected in Illinois?
As a state tax on single individuals
What was a common reaction of the public to the Single's Levy in Illinois?
Opposition and resentment, particularly from those who were single by circumstance
How did the Single's Levy impact society in Illinois during the 1930s?
It placed additional financial pressure on single individuals during an already difficult economic period
Which social class was most affected by the Single's Levy in Illinois?
Working-class individuals, who could least afford the additional tax
What was one method used by people to avoid paying the Single's Levy in Illinois?
Falsifying marital status or entering into marriages of convenience
When was the Single's Levy repealed in Illinois?
Late 1930s, as economic conditions improved and the tax was deemed unfair
What broader historical context surrounded the introduction of the Single's Levy in Illinois?
The Great Depression, which prompted various states to find innovative ways to increase revenue
