Final answer:
Many in both the North and the South began to view the American Civil War as a protracted and taxing engagement, contrary to initial hopes for a swift resolution. The war demanded immense mobilization and became a war of attrition affecting the livelihood of the civilian population and resulting in profound national changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the war dragged on, many in both the North and the South began to see it as a prolonged and grueling conflict far from their initial expectations of a quick, decisive victory.
The American Civil War, known for its massive mobilization of resources and personnel, evolved into a war of attrition, where victory on which side could outlast the other in terms of resources and manpower.
The war not only involved military strategists and soldiers but also engulfed the entire civil population, altering their social, political, and economic lives. Soldiers fought for cause and comrades, preservation of American values, and a sense of loyalty, but as the conflict extended, the harsh realities of war became evident.
Despite the ultimate triumph of the North and the preservation of the Union, the war inflicted deep scars and led to significant changes in the nation. In both the North and South, the war effort led to conscription, inflation, and political divisiveness, reflecting the extensive reach of wartime politics.