Lesson 7 Introduction

Concepts to Consider for the Lesson

With Lesson 7, we are now entering the post-WWII period. This introduces new drivers for the evolution of the oil industry. No longer are we focused on battlefield concerns but now it’s more about national security and economic development. The post-war era also introduces us to what is relatively common in today’s day-the international nature of the oil industry. Company goals and priorities and market stability seem more impactful than national borders when it comes to strategic decision-making. That said, the situation in key oil-producing countries is critical to understand and must be integrated into deals.

We also learn of the focus on the Middle East, a focus prominent to this very day. The lesson discusses the three big deals made in the immediate post-war era. As these relationships mature, we see the evolution of how payments are made. The development and execution of these deals is a fascinating study in reconciling global capitalism drivers with national interests. The story of Iran is a great example of how this played out.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Recall course concepts relating to the Post-War order
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of oil in relation to pivotal events in history 
• Discuss the role of oil in business applications, global markets, conflicts, energy security, and various unconventional applications
• Create an original infographic to synthesize a course topic and an external source of your choosing

What is due for Lesson 7?

This lesson will take us one week to complete. Please refer to the Course Syllabus for specific time frames and due dates. Specific directions for the assignment below can be found within this lesson.

Questions?

Each week an announcement is sent out in which you will have the opportunity to contribute questions about the topics you are learning about in this course. You are encouraged to engage in these discussions. The more we talk about these ideas and share our thoughts, the more we can learn from each other.