Not only are the 1970s monumental to most Americans for their enormous increase in stagflation, they are monumental to the Middle East of world. A long-running conflict between religious factions has caused a huge impact on international oil production and trade. Even today, we continue to experience the effects of the economic depression, which not only affected America, but caused many losses to countries such as Israel, Egypt, and Syria. Due to America's lack of attention, energy was mainly produced through oil. Arab oil has become very important to America. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWhen war broke out in America's Middle Eastern ally (Israel), it called for help with ammunition and equipment to fight a surprising invasion from both Egypt and Syria. As a result, the Arab countries retaliated against America, and on October 17, 1973, an organization known as OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) declared an embargo against the United States. (Gale Encyclopedia of US Economic History 947) Egypt, Jordan, and Syria had lost a large amount of territory in the previous Arab-Israeli war, in 1967. Egypt lost 23,000 square miles, the Sinal Peninsula, and the Gaza Strip . Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Syria lost the Golan Heights. In 1970, when Anwar el-Sadat became president, Egypt wanted to regain the Sinal Peninsula and make peace with Israel. But President el-Sadat knew that Israel was not on the same page as him, especially after Israel's victory in 1967. In 1972, President el-Sadat formed an alliance with Syria that planned to attack Israel. Both Egypt and Syria still had the element of surprise. As time went on, Israel began to notice an increase in the amount of mobility and exercises that both countries began to perform. Israel did not expect an attack and everyone knew that “Israel was supposed to be almost “invincible”. (Bard) On October 6, 1973, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, both Syria and Egypt planned to invade Israel with the hope of catching them by surprise during their religious holiday. Syria invaded Israel across the Golden Heights with approximately 30,000 men and 1,400 tanks. Egypt, however, broke through the Israeli defense at the Suez Canal with 80,000 Egyptian soldiers. The country had been invaded from both ends and both fronts had been overtaken by Egypt and Syria. Israel would not lose this land easily. Israel began to react, winning battles at sea and in the sky, even the land advanced with new equipment, sent to them by the United States. One of Israel's keys to winning the war was the enormous aid given to them by the United States. On October 15, 1973, America responded to Israel's request for supplies. Every day American planes arrived in Israel with ammunition, tanks and new planes. Israel then planned to push the counties back into their own countries. On October 17, 1993, the seven Arab countries began to retaliate against Israeli supporters. The oil embargo increased oil and gas prices in America “by more than 40 percent, from an average of 38.5 cents per gallon in May 1973 to 55.1 cents per gallon in June 1974.” (“OPEC Oil Embargo Drives…” 946-948) Demand for oil and gas grew like never before for careless America, but prices quadrupled in 1974 to $12 a barrel. In the 50s and 60s America.