Oil Shock Directions Sign Active Mission
Station 1
The Oil Squeeze
Time Allotted
20:00
Mission Objective
Analyze the causes and effects of the 1970s energy crisis and explain how it forced the U.S. economy to transform.
1
Examine the Intelligence
Pick up the Mission 1 Briefing sheet. Carefully read Source A (The Data & Economic Shift) and Source B (The Timeline).
2
Analyze the Data
Look at the gas price charts. Notice the sharp increase after 1973. Identify the role of OPEC in creating this crisis.
3
Decode the Concept
Locate the definition of Stagflation . Understand how high inflation and high unemployment combined to hurt the economy.
4
Update the Dossier
Open your Modern Era Dossier packet to Mission 1. Record your findings, ensuring you explain the shift to a service-based economy .
When the timer sounds, return all briefing sheets to the center of the table and prepare for immediate extraction to your next station.
Modern Era Vocabulary Quiz Intelligence Assessment
Operation: Modern Era Mastery // Level 4 Clearance
Agent Name
Date of Deployment
Phase I: Code Word Matching
Match the intelligence term on the left with its correct definition on the right.
OPEC
Stagflation
Camp David Accords
Reaganomics
War on Terror
A. An international organization that controls oil production and pricing.
B. Economic policy focused on tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate growth.
C. A condition of high inflation combined with high unemployment.
D. A global military campaign launched after the 9/11 attacks.
E. A historic peace treaty between Israel and Egypt brokered by Jimmy Carter.
Phase II: Strategic Analysis
Which factor most directly caused the 1970s energy crisis in the United States?
A. Increased use of solar energy
B. An oil embargo by OPEC nations
C. A decrease in car manufacturing
D. The discovery of oil in Alaska
What was the primary diplomatic goal of the Camp David Accords?
A. To end the Vietnam War
B. To form a military alliance with Iran
C. To reduce tensions between Israel and Egypt
D. To establish free trade in Europe
Supporters of Supply-Side Economics (Reaganomics) argue that:
A. Higher taxes on the wealthy help the poor
B. Government should own all major industries
C. Tax cuts for businesses lead to job creation
D. Spending on social programs is the top priority
The USA PATRIOT Act was passed in 2001 primarily to:
A. Increase environmental regulations
B. Expand surveillance to prevent terrorism
C. Protect the privacy of all US citizens
D. Promote international trade agreements
Which phrase best describes "Trickle-Down" theory?
A. Wealth starts at the bottom and rises
B. Government controls all distribution
C. Benefits for the rich will eventually reach the poor
D. A sudden collapse of the banking system
Phase III: Field Report Completion
Intel Word Bank
STAGFLATION DEREGULATION DIPLOMACY OPEC
Complete the reports by selecting the correct intelligence term.
During the 1970s, the American economy suffered from __________________, where the price of goods rose even as the economy slowed down and jobs were lost.
President Reagan championed __________________, the policy of removing government restrictions on businesses to allow for more competition and efficiency.
Successful __________________ by President Carter at Camp David led to the first-ever peace agreement between an Arab nation and the Jewish state of Israel.
The __________________ oil embargo of 1973 demonstrated how much the United States relied on foreign energy sources.
Phase IV: Dual-Factor Identification
Select EXACTLY TWO correct answers for each question.
Which TWO of these were core pillars of Reagan's economic plan?
A. Broad Tax Cuts
B. Government Expansion
C. Deregulation
D. Increased Welfare Spending
Which TWO nations were the primary signers of the Camp David Accords?
A. Iran
B. Egypt
C. Israel
D. Saudi Arabia
Which TWO of these were created or expanded in response to the 9/11 attacks?
A. Department of Homeland Security
B. Environmental Protection Agency
C. Transportation Security Admin (TSA)
D. Peace Corps
Phase V: Multi-Layered Intelligence Brief
Target Scenario: Global Security & Surveillance
The September 11 attacks transformed U.S. policy. In response, the government launched the "War on Terror," created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate domestic safety, and passed the USA PATRIOT Act to expand surveillance capabilities and prevent future terrorist activity.
PART A: Identify the primary purpose for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2002.
PART B: Describe one way the USA PATRIOT Act expanded the federal government's authority to prevent terrorism.
PART C: Explain a concern raised by critics regarding the balance between national security and individual civil liberties.
Peace Treaty Directions Sign Active Mission
Station 2
Peace in the Desert
Time Allotted
20:00
Mission Objective
Examine the role of Jimmy Carter as a mediator during the Camp David Accords and explain the historic significance of the treaty.
1
Identify the Figures
Pick up the Mission 2 Briefing . Locate the three leaders: Jimmy Carter (USA), Menachem Begin (Israel), and Anwar Sadat (Egypt).
2
Analyze the Primary Source
Read the excerpts from the Camp David Accords framework . Note the specific promises made by both Israel and Egypt.
3
Evaluate Carter's Role
Discuss with your group: Why was it historic for an American President to host these two leaders for 13 days of secret negotiations?
4
Update the Dossier
Open your Modern Era Dossier to Mission 2. Record the three leaders, the outcome of the treaty, and Carter's major foreign policy success.
Collaboration is encouraged! Ensure every agent in your squad has accurately recorded the details of this historic peace treaty.
Modern Era Answer Key Mission Answer Key
Modern Era Missions: Instructor Dossier
CONFIDENTIAL
Guided Notes Answer Key
M1: OIL & STAGFLATION
OPEC: Embargoed US for supporting Israel.
Stagflation: High Unemployment + High Inflation.
Shift: Transition to service-based economy .
M2: CAMP DAVID ACCORDS
Mediator: Jimmy Carter .
Nations: Egypt and Israel .
Significance: First Arab peace treaty with Israel.
M3: REAGANOMICS
Movement: Traditional values, smaller govt.
4 Pillars: Tax cuts, Deregulation, Cuts to social spending, Military buildup.
Trickle Down: Business growth helps everyone.
M4: WAR ON TERROR
Patriot Act: surveillance/privacy (4th Amend).
DHS: Created to protect the US homeland.
Timeline: A (9/11) → D (Invasion) → B (Patriot) → C (DHS).
STAAR Practice Answer Key
Q1 C OPEC
Q2 G Camp David
Q3 B Reaganomics
Q4 G Patriot Act
Q5 A Service Econ.
Grading Note
The STAAR Practice items are mapped to high-readiness standards for the Modern Era reporting category. Question numbering matches the assessment in the Mission Dossier Student Packet.
Vocabulary Intelligence Key
Phase I: Matching (1-5)
01. OPEC A
02. Stagflation C
03. Camp David Accords E
04. Reaganomics B
05. War on Terror D
Phase II: Multiple Choice (6-10)
06. Gas Prices/Embargo B
07. Peace in Middle East C
08. Tax Cuts & Jobs C
09. PATRIOT Act Goal B
10. Trickle-Down Def. C
Phase III: In Context (11-14)
11. Stagflation
12. Deregulation
13. Diplomacy (or Peace Treaty/Accords)
14. OPEC
Phase IV: Pick Two (15-17)
15. Reaganomics Pillars
A: Tax Cuts C: Deregulation
Supply Side Directions Sign Active Mission
Station 3
The Great Trickle
Time Allotted
20:00
Mission Objective
Analyze the four pillars of Reaganomics and explain how supply-side economics aimed to stimulate the American economy.
1
Read the Theory
Pick up the Mission 3 Briefing . Read the introduction to Ronald Reagan's "Supply-Side Economics" and how it differed from previous policies.
2
Analyze the Cartoon
Examine the Trickle Down Theory political cartoon. Identify the symbols for wealth and how they are supposedly distributed.
3
Identify the 4 Pillars
Find the four key components: Tax Cuts , Deregulation , Reduced Social Spending , and Increased Military Spending .
4
Update the Dossier
Complete the Mission 3 section in your Modern Era Dossier . Explain the intended effect of "Trickle Down" economics on growth.
Did you know? Reaganomics led to a massive increase in military spending to combat the Cold War. Keep an eye on the clock!
Global Security Directions Sign Active Mission
Station 4
The Global Shift
Time Allotted
20:00
Mission Objective
Sequence the events of the War on Terror and analyze how 9/11 impacted U.S. foreign policy and domestic security.
1
The Timeline Sort
Locate the Terror Timeline manipulative cards at this station. Read each card carefully as a group.
2
Reconstruct History
Arrange the cards in chronological order (by date) from the 9/11 attacks to the present day security policies.
3
Analyze Security
Focus on the USA PATRIOT Act and the DHS . How did these policies change the balance between security and privacy?
4
Update the Dossier
Record your timeline and analysis in the Mission 4 section of your Modern Era Dossier .
Mission Alert: Shuffle the cards back together before leaving the station so the next team of agents can start fresh!
Modern Era STAAR Practice Post-Mission Debrief
Modern Era STAAR Assessment Bank
Classified / Agent Checkpoint
Agent Name:
Date:
Which of the following was a primary cause of the economic phenomenon known as stagflation during the 1970s?
A An increase in the availability of low-interest consumer loans
B The signing of the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel
C An oil embargo imposed by OPEC that led to high energy prices
D The implementation of federal supply-side economic policies
President Jimmy Carter’s most significant foreign policy achievement was mediating the Camp David Accords , which resulted in —
F the formal end of the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union
G the first peace treaty signed between Israel and an Arab nation
H the successful release of American hostages held in the Iranian embassy
J the creation of an international coalition to fight global terrorism
Which statement best describes a core principle of Reaganomics (supply-side economics)?
A An increase in federal spending on social welfare programs to reduce poverty
B The reduction of tax rates for businesses and wealthy individuals to encourage investment
C The nationalization of major industries such as oil and transportation to lower costs
D The immediate abolition of the Department of Homeland Security
Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States government passed the USA PATRIOT Act . Critics of this legislation argued that it —
F placed too many restrictions on the power of the military during wartime
G violated the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures
H failed to provide adequate funding for the newly created Department of Homeland Security
J discouraged international cooperation in the Global War on Terror
The U.S. economy began a significant transition in the late 20th century, shifting away from heavy manufacturing and toward a service-based economy . This transition was largely driven by —
A the rising costs of energy following the OPEC oil crises of the 1970s
B the implementation of high tariffs on all imported goods from Europe
C the total elimination of the federal minimum wage for industrial workers
Modern Era Dossier Student Packet Modern Era Dossier
Student Evidence File #1970-2026 | Mission Control
Agent:
Date:
Mission Overview: 4-Box Organizer
Summarize the core takeaway from each mission in 1-2 powerful sentences.
Mission 1 THE 1970S
Oil Crisis & Stagflation
Mission 2 1978
Camp David Accords
Mission 3 1980S
Reaganomics
Mission 4 2001+
War on Terror
Mission Investigations (Guided Notes)
M1
The Oil Squeeze & Stagflation
1. OPEC stands for ________________________________________. They declared an embargo in 1973 because the US supported ________________ in the Yom Kippur War.
Formula: High ________ + High ________ = STAGFLATION
2. Transition: _________________________________________
3. Why smaller cars? __________________________________
M2
The Camp David Accords
1. Mediator: President ______________________________.
2. Nations: __________________ & __________________.
3. Israel gave up: ____________________. Gained: __________________.
4. Why "historic"? ____________________________________________
M3
Reaganomics & Conservatism
1. Conservative Movement: ____________________ values and ____________________ govt power.
2. The 4 Pillars of Reaganomics:
A. ________________
B. ________________
C. ________________
D. ________________
3. Based on the theory, what does "trickle-down" mean? ____________________________________________________
M4
The War on Terror (9/11)
1. Bush Doctrine policy: ____________________________________ (striking first).
2. Debated Amendment: ____________________. Why? ____________________________________
3. DHS coordinates agencies like ________ and ________.
Timeline Sequence:
1. ___
2. ___
3. ___
4. ___
Mission Checkpoint (STAAR Practice)
Which of the following was a primary cause of stagflation during the 1970s?
A Increase in consumer loans
B Camp David Accords signing
C OPEC oil embargo
