The 1973 Oil Crisis: How America Lost Control of Its Own Energy

In 1972, a gallon of gas cost 36 cents. By 1980, the world had changed forever. This is the story of the 1970s energy crisis — the oil embargo that blindsided America, the gas lines that stretched for miles, and the political fallout that reshaped the country for decades.In October 1973, Arab members of OPEC launched an oil embargo against the United States in response to American support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War. What followed was one of the most dramatic economic shocks in modern American history — skyrocketing oil prices, fuel rationing, fistfights at gas stations, and a president asking citizens to turn down their thermostats.Then, in 1979, it happened again. The Iranian Revolution triggered a second energy crisis — and America realized it had never truly solved the first one.In this episode, we cover: — What caused the 1973 OPEC oil embargo — How the energy crisis affected everyday Americans — The political failures of Nixon, Ford, and Carter — The long-term consequences: fuel standards, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and the rise of Reagan — Why the lessons of 1973 still matter today This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rejil.substack.com