Actually Lincoln, during the Civil War instituted the 1st U S Income Tax to finance the war.
Consumption taxes have gotten crazy with some state sales taxes nearing 10%. If the feds started one it could well be over 25%.
I had a friend in England who thought the VAT Tax was the worst thing ever.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenue_Act_of_1861
I love the current system. I get half of the real estate taxes back on my house each year just because I'm physically disabled.