#AP US History: Environmental & Energy Policy (1968-1980) Study Guide

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the APUSH exam with a deep dive into environmental and energy policy from 1968 to 1980. We'll break it down, make it memorable, and get you feeling confident. Let's do this!

#1. The Rise of Environmental Awareness

#1.1. Silent Spring and the Modern Environmental Movement

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962): 🚀
- Exposed the dangers of pesticides like DDT.

Key Concept

Considered the catalyst for the modern environmental movement.

- Argued for the interconnectedness of the environment and human health. - Led to a public debate about pesticide use and environmental protection. - **Impact:** - **DDT ban** in the US (1972). - Establishment of the **Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)** to regulate pesticides. - Increased public awareness of long-term environmental effects of human actions.

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Image: The cover of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, a pivotal work in the environmental movement.

#1.2. Oil Crises and Energy Policy

Oil Spills:
- Santa Barbara (1969) and Exxon Valdez (1989) highlighted dangers of human error and modern technology in oil industry.
- Reinforced public fears about environmental damage from oil.
#OPEC Oil Embargo (1973):

Key Concept

OPEC embargoed oil exports to countries supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War.

- Led to sharp increase in oil prices and shortages. - Caused major disruptions to the global economy. - **Energy Policy and Conservation Act (1975):** - Set corporate standards for gas mileage. - Manufacturers faced fines for not meeting mandated averages. -

Exam Tip

Remember this act as a direct response to the oil crisis!

- **Search for Alternative Energy:** - Solar power: Expensive and underdeveloped. - Hydropower: Limited by existing dam sites. - Wind power: Limited by suitable locations.

#2. The Nuclear Option and Its Perils

#2.1. Nuclear Power: Promise and Problems

Advantages:
- Uranium fuel is virtually inexhaustible.
- No greenhouse gases or noxious gases produced.
Disadvantages:
- Radioactive waste products that remain dangerous for thousands of years.
- Risk of reactor malfunctions.
Three Mile Island Accident (1979):
- Near meltdown due to cooling system failure.

Common Mistake

Don't confuse this with Chernobyl, which was much worse!

- Led to public fear and skepticism about nuclear power.

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Image: The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant after the 1979 accident, a symbol of the risks of nuclear energy.

Chernobyl Disaster (1986):
- Occurred in Soviet Ukraine.
- Released large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere.

Key Concept

Reinforced fears about nuclear power globally.

#3. Environmental Legislation and Action

#3.1. Key Environmental Laws

Earth Day (1970):
- First celebrated in April 1970. - Helped raise awareness about environmental problems.

Quick Fact

Remember Earth Day as a catalyst for environmental action!

- **Clean Water Act (1972):** - Aimed to combat industrial pollution of waterways. - **Endangered Species Act (1973):** - Protected threatened and endangered species and their habitats. - **Superfund (1980):** - Created to identify, investigate, and clean up hazardous waste sites. -

Memory Aid

Think of Clean Water, Endangered Species, and Superfund as the CWESS of environmental protection.

#4. Final Exam Focus

#4.1. High-Priority Topics

Environmental Movement: Silent Spring, EPA, Earth Day.
Energy Crisis: OPEC embargo, Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
Nuclear Power: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl.
Legislation: Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Superfund.

#4.2. Common Question Types

Multiple Choice: Focus on key events, legislation, and their impacts.
Short Answer: Explain the causes and effects of environmental problems and policy changes.
Free Response: Analyze the development of environmental awareness and government responses.

#4.3. Last-Minute Tips

Time Management: Quickly scan questions and prioritize based on your strengths.
Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers; use specific historical evidence.
Strategies: Connect different units; show how environmental issues influenced other areas of society.

#5. Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it was first established? (A) To promote the use of nuclear power (B) To regulate the use of pesticides and other pollutants (C) To encourage the expansion of the oil industry (D) To establish national parks and wilderness areas

Answer: (B)
The OPEC oil embargo of 1973 had the most direct impact on which of the following? (A) The passage of the Civil Rights Act (B) The development of nuclear power (C) The rise of environmental activism (D) The price and availability of gasoline

Answer: (D)
The Three Mile Island incident in 1979 led most directly to which of the following? (A) Increased support for nuclear power (B) Greater public skepticism about nuclear power (C) The expansion of offshore oil drilling (D) The creation of the Department of Energy

Answer: (B)

#Short Answer Question

Explain how environmental concerns and energy crises in the 1970s influenced government policy in the United States.

Answer Guide:

Environmental Concerns:
- Public awareness increased due to Silent Spring and events like Earth Day.
- Led to the creation of the EPA and passage of laws like the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
- Focus on the negative impacts of pesticides and industrial pollution.
Energy Crises:
- OPEC oil embargo caused shortages and price increases.
- Led to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to regulate gas mileage.
- Increased interest in alternative energy sources.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which environmental activism and energy concerns shaped United States domestic policy between 1968 and 1980. Scoring Rubric:

Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
Argument Development (2 points):
- Provides specific historical evidence to support the thesis.
- Explains the relationship between environmental activism, energy concerns, and policy changes.
Evidence (2 points):
- Uses relevant examples such as Silent Spring, the OPEC oil embargo, the Three Mile Island incident, and key legislation (Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Superfund).
- Demonstrates an understanding of the historical context.
Analysis and Reasoning (2 points):
- Analyzes the impact of environmental activism and energy concerns on policy.
- Explains how these factors shaped the role of the government in regulating environmental and energy issues.
Synthesis (1 point):
- Connects the environmental and energy policy changes of the 1970s to broader themes in US history (e.g., government regulation, public awareness, technological advancement).

Alright, you've got this! Remember to stay calm, pace yourself, and trust in your preparation. You're going to do great on the APUSH exam. Let's go get that 5! 💪