What is OPEC and how did it play a role in energy crisis of 1973?

OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is a coalition of oil-producing nations that coordinates oil production and pricing to stabilize the market. In 1973, OPEC implemented an oil embargo in response to Western support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War, leading to a drastic increase in oil prices and significant shortages in the United States and other countries. This event triggered the energy crisis of 1973, causing widespread economic disruption and highlighting the vulnerability of nations reliant on imported oil. The crisis also spurred efforts to develop alternative energy sources and improve energy efficiency.