From the beginning of the 17th century (1600s) to the mid-18th century (1760s) in the American colonies. The policy was an attempt to maintain a relationship with the colonies without provoking them into war. The policy that was administered by the British was one in which laxer controls and parliamentary procedure was used.
The end of this period relates to the massive debts incurred by the British during the French/Indian Wars, which was a victory for the British, but a costly one. As such, the British needed to revert back to more strict enforcement of their policies towards the colonies, namely enforcing, as well as increasing taxation.
This of course became integral to the formation of the anti-British sentiment which grew during this period and is associated with the slogan, "No taxation without equal representation". This was due to the British enforcing taxes, as well as increasing what colonists were unfair taxes due to their lack of representation in the creation of these taxes which were imposed on them.
The difference between the two are the differing systems of their governments. Sparta is considered oligarchy, meaning ruled by the few, while the Athens is believed to have been a democracy.
While consumerism during the 1920s boosted the economy, it also led to "higher debt," since many people took out loans in order to pay for things that they could not afford.
Officially the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, the G.I. Bill was created to help veterans of World War II. It established hospitals, made low-interest mortgages available and granted stipends covering tuition and expenses for veterans attending college or trade schools.
