A Level History - America - Practice Exam

In the 1920s, what percentage of the U.S. workforce did women comprise?

1. 10%

2. 20%

3. 30%

4. 40%

The correct answer is: 20%

In the 1920s, women comprised about 20% of the U.S. workforce. This period marked significant changes in the roles and participation of women in the labor market, largely influenced by the societal shifts following World War I. Many women entered the workforce in various capacities, taking on jobs in industries such as manufacturing and retail, reflecting their growing independence and the changing attitudes towards women's employment. The statistic underscores a crucial shift in American society during the decade, as women were beginning to assert their presence in the professional sphere, challenging traditional gender roles that had predominantly confined them to domestic responsibilities. The increase in women's employment contributed to broader movements advocating for women's rights, including suffrage, which culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the legal right to vote. The other percentages do not accurately reflect the labor force statistics of the era. While there was a significant rise in women working compared to earlier decades, they did not make up as high as 30% or 40% of the workforce during the 1920s.