The Middle East Crisis
In October, 1973, panic gripped the United States. The crude oil-rich Middle-Eastern countries had cut off exports of petroleum to Western nations as punishment for their involvement in recent Arab-Israeli conflicts. Although the oil embargo would not ordinarily have made a tremendous impact on the US, the immediate results of the Oil Crisis were dramatic, panicking investors and oil companies caused a gigantic surge in oil prices. Prices of gasoline quadrupled, rising from just 25 cents to over a dollar in just a few months.The situation, caused more by fear and irrationality than any firm economic basis, turned out to be one of the most memorable of the 1970s. Those who can remember the so-called "Mideast oil crisis" also remember long lines at the gas pump due to petroleum shortages and high gasoline prices. This also goes to show how much of an effect the Middle East had on life in the United States, as it was Middle Eastern countries that raised the price of oil.
In 1979 the Iranian government was overthrown by Extremists, because of this the leader, a.k.a the Shah, wanted asylum. This meant that he wanted to seek refuge. The United States government assisted him. The Extremists were outraged, therefore they took hold of the U.S. embassy in Iran. 50 Americans were taken hostage for 444 days.
In 1979 the Iranian government was overthrown by Extremists, because of this the leader, a.k.a the Shah, wanted asylum. This meant that he wanted to seek refuge. The United States government assisted him. The Extremists were outraged, therefore they took hold of the U.S. embassy in Iran. 50 Americans were taken hostage for 444 days.
