1925—1935: After the devastation of World War I, some Americans turn to a pursuit of happiness through the acquisition of wealth. Their extravagant and unchecked spending habits contribute to the economic crisis at the end of the 1920s.

Today: After a decade of unprecedented and unrealistic spikes in the stock market, the Dow dropped considerably in the first years of the twenty-first century. As a result, many who amassed fortunes from employment in the technology sector, found themselves jobless. The market slowly recovered during 2004, but some economists worry that the slow economy will drive it down again.

1925—1935: After a decade of buying on credit in the 1920s, Americans find themselves in the grips of a severe economic depression in the 1930s.

Today: Economic policies, like unemployment compensation, are in place that would prevent the country from falling into a severe depression that would...