Module 4: Domestic Distress

Domestic Distress

The energy crisis of the 1970s had profound domestic consequences in the United States, sparking widespread economic disruptions and social anxiety. As the First Oil Shock in 1973 and the Second Oil Shock in 1979 sent gas prices soaring, many Americans faced a dramatic rise in the cost of living. The oil embargo imposed by OPEC countries created significant fuel shortages, leading to long gas lines at service stations across the country. In some cases, drivers waited for hours just to fill up their tanks, while gas stations imposed rationing, limiting the amount of fuel any one customer could purchase. This created a sense of panic and uncertainty, with people beginning to question their dependence on foreign oil and the stability of their daily lives. The rising cost of gas also exacerbated inflation, further straining household budgets and creating a climate of economic stagnation known as "stagflation."

In response to the crisis, there was a growing demand for more fuel-efficient cars, as Americans sought to cope with the soaring prices at the pump. The energy crisis led to a shift in automobile manufacturing, with a new emphasis on smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, often from Japanese automakers, which had been producing compact cars that consumed less gas. At the same time, the suburban lifestyle, which had long been defined by car-dependent living, was suddenly questioned. With the high cost of gasoline, long commutes to work became less sustainable, and many suburbanites began to reassess the practicality of their sprawling, car-centric way of life. The energy crisis highlighted the vulnerabilities of American infrastructure and suburban development, forcing both policymakers and individuals to confront the unsustainable nature of a society built on cheap and plentiful fossil fuels.