The Arab embargo initially targeted the United States and which European country?

The Arab embargo initially targeted the United States and which European country?

• A. United Kingdom
• B. France
• C. Netherlands
• D. Germany

Answer: (C)

Oil became a political tool in 1973 as Arab members of OPEC used an embargo to press Western governments over their support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War. The first targets were the United States and the Netherlands, chosen because the Netherlands was a key Western European ally with close ties to Israel and because it played a central logistical role in Western Europe. This initial pairing shows how political backing for Israel and participation in supporting Western policy could trigger a supply restriction. The other countries listed did not face the embargo at the outset; they were affected later as the measure broadened. So, the European country initially targeted alongside the United States was the Netherlands.

Oil became a political tool in 1973 as Arab members of OPEC used an embargo to press Western governments over their support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War. The first targets were the United States and the Netherlands, chosen because the Netherlands was a key Western European ally with close ties to Israel and because it played a central logistical role in Western Europe. This initial pairing shows how political backing for Israel and participation in supporting Western policy could trigger a supply restriction. The other countries listed did not face the embargo at the outset; they were affected later as the measure broadened. So, the European country initially targeted alongside the United States was the Netherlands.