Final answer:
During the Civil War, women managed farms and businesses, joined aid societies, served as nurses and sanitary workers, and some became spies or soldiers. World War I and II widened employment opportunities for women, who took on roles in munitions factories, civil service, and military support, despite the segregation and limitations faced by black women. Iconic figures like 'Rosie the Riveter' symbolized their essential contribution to the war efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roles of Women During the Civil War
During the Civil War, women played vital roles on the home front and in direct support of the war effort. In both the North and the South, women managed farms and businesses in the absence of their husbands who went to battle. They formed ladies' aid societies to provide necessities for troops, sewed uniforms, and knit socks. Notably, women in the North joined the United States Sanitary Commission, striving to improve sanitation in military camps and reduce deaths caused by diseases. Women also served as nurses, cooks, and laundresses within the Union army, following a call by Dorothea Dix for volunteers.
Many women became spies or, disguised as men, took part directly in combat. The emancipation issue, steered by President Lincoln, also shaped the Civil War, but it did not directly influence the diversified roles women undertook during this period.
World War I and II:
World War I saw a tremendous expansion in opportunities for women in employment. They transitioned to better-paying jobs, often in munitions factories, civil service, banks, and offices, roles which had previously been inaccessible to them.
In World War II, the war effort further necessitated women's participation in the workforce, with over 6 million taking on factory jobs, including positions as electricians, welders, and riveters, epitomized by the iconic 'Rosie the Riveter.' Moreover, about 350,000 women served in the U.S. military in various capacities such as nurses and technicians. Unlike their white counterparts, black women often faced segregation and were restricted to certain roles, but they also developed strong support networks within their positions.