The following is an overview and analysis of the oil industry in Canadian history. In this paper, what will be examined, is the general development of the industry, but with a particular focus on the policies of oil since the Second World War. It will be argued that although the greatest period of expansion and of development came after the Second World War, the OPEC crisis of 1973, which culminated in the founding of the National Energy Program in 1980, has since been a central source both of east-west provincial relations, and also, federal and provincial relations. Thus, this paper will analyze the history of the oil industry with an eye toward understanding both the contemporary political problems, and in turn, the greater impact that oil has had on Canadian history. 24.5 pgs. 28 f/c. 10b.