Question

In 1973, arab members of the organization of the petroleum exporting countries (opec) blocked oil shipments to the united states primarily
a. to protest u.s. support for israel.
b. to drive up the price of oil.
c. to protest western influence on their countries.
d. to weaken the u.s. economy.

Answer 1

 A. To protest U.S. support for Israel
The United States supported Israel since the end of WWll when it was created as a homeland for Jews displaced during the war. Almost all of the other Middle Eastern countries hated Israel because they were Muslims and Israel was made up of Jews. And  they also favored Palestine which was the country that Israel was made of. European officials literally told Palestine that they no longer owned that tract of land because it was Israel's now. In the 1970's the United States increased it's aid to Israel which enraged OPEC and they placed an oil embargo on America which increased the price of gas and further added to the economic hardships facing the country at the time.