The 1973 oil crisis, also known as the 1973 oil embargo, was a major global economic event that occurred in the wake of the Yom Kippur War in October 1973. The war was fought by Israel against a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria. The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) imposed an oil embargo against countries that supported Israel, including the United States, Western Europe, and Japan. This caused a sharp increase in oil prices and led to an economic recession in many countries.

The embargo caused a worldwide shortage of oil, and prices increased by more than 400% in just a few months. The effects of the oil crisis were felt across many sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. The United States, which was heavily dependent on oil imports at the time, was particularly hard hit.

Governments and industries scrambled to find alternative sources of energy and to increase domestic production. Many countries began investing heavily in alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power. The crisis also led to the creation of the International Energy Agency, which was designed to promote energy security and cooperation among member countries.

Overall, the 1973 oil crisis was a major turning point in global energy markets and had a significant impact on the global economy. It highlighted the need for greater energy independence and led to major changes in energy policies and investments around the world.