Primary Sources: The 1970s: Energy Crisis

See primary sources on various topics from the 1970s including: The Environment, the Energy Crisis, Women's Rights, Watergate, Iran Hostage Crisis etc.

Footage from the energy crisis in the 1970s.

Includes primary resources related to Nixon and Ford including: President Nixon's Trip to China, The Vietnam War, Environmentalism, etc.

"This archival news footage from Northeast Historic Film shows scenes of gas stations during the 1979 oil crisis. When operating, the gas stations faced long lines of cars that one customer suggested stretched about a half-mile long. When the stations were closed, signs in front reflected the country’s supply shortage at the time—for example, “Our pumps are closed” and “No gas.” A station owner explains that regulating hours of operation was necessary to keep stations open throughout the month. An attendant blames “the papers” for causing customers to panic.

This video is primary source footage and has not been extensively edited."

President Jimmy Carter asks Americans to sacrifice for the sake of greater energy conservation and independence. He puts forth several initiatives to push the nation towards greater energy independence.

"Take a new look at the 1970s through the lens of a federal photography project called DOCUMERICA. Created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1971, DOCUMERICA was born out of the decade’s environmental crisis. As you might expect, the photographers hired by EPA took thousands of photographs depicting pollution, waste, and blight, but surprisingly, they were given the freedom to capture the era’s trends, fashions, problems, and achievements. The result was an amazing archive and a fascinating portrait of America from 1972-1977."

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Oil and Mineral "Resources Ahmed Zaki Yamani being interviewed in Copenhagen speaks about dependency of Europe and Japan on Saudi Arabian oil."