Lesson Plan: Crisis of Power
Grades 7-12
When oil-producing nations in the Middle East cut supplies to the United States in the 1970s, the resulting shortages caused gas prices to soar and long lines to become a fixture of American life. This crisis exposed the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, prompting U.S. presidents to pursue strategies ranging from strict conservation and fuel efficiency to early investments in renewable energy. While some of these initiatives were later rolled back, others inadvertently paved the way for the modern fracking boom and a surge in domestic fossil fuel production. By examining these historical turning points, we can better understand how past decisions regarding scarcity and resource use continue to inform the energy policies and prices we encounter today.
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