1880s: The Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, and the Fourteenth Amendment, guaranteeing civil liberty, are ratified by all states.

1942: The Georgia Contract Labor Act is overturned by the Supreme Court, which declares that the act of "peonage" it sanctions is a violation of the anti-slavery amendment.

Today: All peoples are protected under the law from slavery, though immigrants and people of color are often the victim of civil liberty infringements.

1882: Standard Oil forms a trust to secure its monopoly of the industry and eliminate competition. Other industries soon follow, causing the loss of many jobs.

1941: Ford Motor Company signs its first contract with a labor union. A wage increase is awarded by General Motors in an effort to avoid strikes.

Today: Big business continues to battle against government intervention and labor unions in order to maximize profits and reduce any external regulations that interfere with...