What historical event caused women to take on roles traditionally held by men?

The historical event that significantly caused women to take on roles traditionally held by men is World War II. During the war, many men were enlisted and sent to fight, which resulted in a labor shortage in various industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and other essential sectors. As a consequence, women stepped into these roles to fill the gaps left by men, undertaking jobs that were previously considered male-dominated.

This shift was not only crucial to the war effort but also marked a significant change in societal attitudes regarding women's capabilities and roles in the workforce. Women worked in factories, served as mechanics, and took on various positions that contributed to the war effort, gaining skills that would later empower them to seek greater equality and opportunities in the post-war period.

While the other events also involved shifts in women's roles, such as the Industrial Revolution bringing women into factory work or the Suffragette Movement advocating for women's rights, it was specifically World War II that created an immediate necessity for women to take on traditionally male roles on a large scale.